African Swift vs Chapman's Swift
Apus barbatus compared with Chaetura chapmani
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Chapman's Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Chaetura chapmani |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 24.6 cm (9.7 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 23.416666666666668 g (0.83 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Obligate aerial forager; feeds entirely on the wing on small flying insects, midges, and airborne … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Chapman's Swift
Quick, bubbling series of soft chips; pleasant liquid twittering with slightly buzzy edges, delivered during aerial display.
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.
Chapman's Swift
Found in Trinidad and Tobago and northern South America from Colombia and Venezuela south to northeastern Brazil. Resident in lowland forest.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Chapman'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.
Chapman's Swift
Small; dark sooty-brown overall; rump slightly paler grey-brown than back; underparts dark brown; short spiny tail; Amazonian species intermediate in plumage between Chimney Swift and Band-rumped Swift; relatively poorly differentiated …
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.
Chapman's Swift
A small swift (12-13 cm) found in forests from Central America through northern South America to Trinidad. Dark plumage with a grey rump. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore. Difficult to distinguish from other Chaetura swifts in the field. Poorly studied.