African Swift vs Nyanza Swift
Apus barbatus compared with Apus niansae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Nyanza Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Apus niansae |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 31.0 cm (12.2 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 32.4 g (1.14 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 | 1-3 |
| 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.
Nyanza Swift
High, thin sibilant trill with insect-like quality; barely perceptible rapid modulation of a single high-pitched note.
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.
Nyanza Swift
Found in East Africa from Ethiopia and Sudan south to Uganda and Kenya. Resident or intra-African migrant in open savanna near Lake Victoria.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Nyanza 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.
Nyanza Swift
Dark sooty-brown overall; pale whitish chin and throat patch; underparts slightly paler brown; moderately forked tail; East African species similar to Common Swift but slightly paler below with a subtly …
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.
Nyanza Swift
A medium-sized swift (14-15 cm) found in highland areas of East Africa from Sudan to Tanzania. Dark plumage with a white belly patch. Aerial insectivore. Often seen in mixed flocks with other swift species over montane grassland. Sometimes considered a subspecies of African Swift.