African Swift vs Salim Ali's Swift
Apus barbatus compared with Apus salimalii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Salim Ali's Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Apus salimalii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | — |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 42.949999999999996 g (1.52 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Aerial-only diet of small flying insects, winged termites, and drifting spiders caught during continuous flight. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Song & Call Comparison
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Salim Ali's Swift
Faint, high-pitched squeak nearly inaudible; minute twittering barely registering above background in dense forest habitats.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Swift
Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. One of Africa's most common swift species.
Salim Ali's Swift
Found in northeastern India, China, and Indochina. Resident or short-distance migrant in hill and mountain forest. Recently split from Pacific Swift.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Salim Ali's Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
African Swift
Dark sooty-brown throughout; pale throat patch whitish-grey; underparts slightly paler; broadly similar to Common Swift but slightly larger and marginally paler below; widespread Sub-Saharan African species.
Salim Ali's Swift
Dark sooty-brown upperparts; white rump patch; pale white throat; underparts dark; deeply forked tail; recently split from Pacific Swift; named in honour of Indian ornithologist Salim Ali; plumage virtually identical …
About These Birds
African Swift
A medium-sized swift (16-17 cm) found across sub-Saharan Africa. Dark sooty-brown plumage, darker than Pallid Swift. Aerial insectivore, foraging high over varied habitats from forests to savannas. Breeds on cliffs and buildings. Resident or partial migrant within Africa.
Salim Ali's Swift
A medium-sized swift recently described and split from Pacific Swift, found in the Western Ghats and central India. Dark plumage with a pale rump. Aerial insectivore. Named after the renowned Indian ornithologist Salim Ali. Limited ecological data as a newly recognized species.