Tenggara Swiftlet vs White-collared Swift
Collocalia sumbawae compared with Streptoprocne zonaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Tenggara Swiftlet | White-collared Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Collocalia sumbawae | Streptoprocne zonaris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) |
| Weight | 5.9 g (0.21 oz) | 106.45 g (3.75 oz) |
| Diet | Aerial plankton specialist catching tiny flies, gnats, and airborne spiders in tight acrobatic flight. | Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Tenggara Swiftlet
Very high thin twittering; rapid 'tsit' notes over Sumbawa; echolocation clicks used in limestone caves; call among the highest frequency of any swiftlet species
White-collared Swift
Loud, screaming 'shreee-shreee'; powerful screeching trill; calls from large flocks over mountains; very audible; one of the loudest Neotropical swifts; alarm a harsh rattle
Geographic Range & Migration
Tenggara Swiftlet
Endemic to the Lesser Sundas of Indonesia including Sumbawa, Flores, and Timor. Resident in open forest and savanna at low elevations.
White-collared Swift
Found from Mexico south through Central America to South America east of the Andes, reaching Bolivia and southern Brazil. Often in large flocks.
Conservation Status
Tenggara Swiftlet
White-collared Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Tenggara Swiftlet
Tiny; dark blue-black upperparts with green gloss; pale whitish-buff rump band; dark sooty-grey underparts; Lesser Sunda Islands endemic; extremely similar to Glossy Swiftlet but restricted to eastern Indonesian islands.
White-collared Swift
Large; glossy blue-black plumage with bold broad white collar encircling entire neck; collar clean and complete; underparts black; large slightly forked tail; among the most recognisable Neotropical swifts due to …
About These Birds
Tenggara Swiftlet
A small swiftlet (9-10 cm) endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba) of Indonesia. Dark glossy plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest and open areas. Colonial cave nester. Limited ecological data; restricted island range.
White-collared Swift
A very large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 45-55 cm) with a bold white collar band, the largest New World swift. Found from Mexico to southern Brazil and the Caribbean. Aerial insectivore, foraging in large, noisy flocks over forests and cities. Nests behind waterfalls and in caves.