African Swift vs Southern Swift
Apus barbatus compared with Chaetura meridionalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Southern Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Chaetura meridionalis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 26.3 cm (10.4 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 19.8 g (0.70 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 3-5 |
| 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.
Southern Swift
Faint, thin squealing trill; rapid metallic chips cascading high-pitched over coastal forest, almost ventriloquial in quality.
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.
Southern Swift
Found in southern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Migratory, moving north to Amazonia during the austral winter. Open areas and forest.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Southern 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.
Southern Swift
Small; dark sooty-brown overall; pale grey rump band moderately contrasting with dark back; underparts dark grey-brown; short spiny tail; southern South American migratory species; closely resembles Ashy-tailed Swift but rump …
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.
Southern Swift
A small swift (11-12 cm) found in southeastern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Dark grey-brown plumage. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore. A long-distance austral migrant, breeding in southern Brazil and migrating north to Amazonia in the austral winter.