African Swift vs Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Apus barbatus compared with Panyptila cayennensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Panyptila cayennensis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 23.8 cm (9.4 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 21.8 g (0.77 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Aerial insectivore feeding on swarms of small flies, winged ants, and tiny beetles during sustained … |
| 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.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Dry, clicking chatter interspersed with thin whistles; rapid mechanical trill delivered with persistent energy throughout day.
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.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Found from Mexico south through Central America and South America to Bolivia and Brazil. Resident in lowland and foothill forest edge.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Lesser Swallow-tailed 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.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Black upperparts; white throat and white flanks; white rump patch; deeply forked long tail; smaller version of Great Swallow-tailed Swift; widespread from Mexico to South America; forked tail and bold …
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.
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
A medium-sized swift (13-14 cm) with a moderately forked tail and white throat patch. Found from southern Mexico through Central America to Peru and Brazil. Dark plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy and clearings. Nests under overhanging cliffs and bridges.