African Swift vs Silver-rumped Spinetail
Apus barbatus compared with Rhaphidura leucopygialis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Silver-rumped Spinetail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Rhaphidura leucopygialis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 23.2 cm (9.1 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 13.65 g (0.48 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | -- |
| 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.
Silver-rumped Spinetail
High, thin squeaking notes delivered at rapid pace; silvery twittering with brief pauses forming loose conversational chatter.
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.
Silver-rumped Spinetail
Found from Myanmar and the Thai-Malay Peninsula south through Sumatra and Borneo. Resident in lowland and hill forest. Uncommon.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Silver-rumped Spinetail
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.
Silver-rumped Spinetail
Small; dark blackish-brown upperparts; silvery-white rump band gleaming in flight; underparts pale whitish-grey; short spiny tail tips; Sundaic forest specialist; silvery rather than clean white rump distinguishes from White-rumped Spinetail.
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.
Silver-rumped Spinetail
A small spinetail swift (10-11 cm) found in lowland forests from the Malay Peninsula through Sumatra and Borneo. Dark plumage with a conspicuous silvery-white rump. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore, often foraging in small flocks over forest canopy and rivers.