African Swift vs Christmas Island Swiftlet
Apus barbatus compared with Collocalia natalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Christmas Island Swiftlet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Collocalia natalis |
| 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) | 4.75 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Aerial plankton feeder taking tiny midges, fungus gnats, and ballooning spiders in rapid coursing flights. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| 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.
Christmas Island Swiftlet
Very high, thin twittering; 'chip' notes over Christmas Island forest; audible echolocation clicks in sea cave roosts; one of smallest swiftlets; barely audible to humans
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.
Christmas Island Swiftlet
Endemic to Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. Resident in forested areas. Small population vulnerable to introduced predators.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Christmas Island Swiftlet
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.
Christmas Island Swiftlet
Tiny; dark brownish-black upperparts with minimal gloss; pale grey-buff rump band; greyish-white underparts; forked tail; Christmas Island endemic; differs from Cave Swiftlet in duller upperparts and restricted oceanic island range.
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.
Christmas Island Swiftlet
A small swiftlet (12 cm) endemic to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. Dark plumage with a slightly forked tail. Aerial insectivore, foraging over the island's rainforest canopy. Colonial cave nester. Population estimated at 6,000-8,000 individuals. Classified as Vulnerable.