Asian Palm Swift vs White-collared Swift
Cypsiurus balasiensis compared with Streptoprocne zonaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Asian Palm Swift | White-collared Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cypsiurus balasiensis | Streptoprocne zonaris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.9 cm (9.0 in) | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) |
| Weight | 8.833333333333334 g (0.31 oz) | 106.45 g (3.75 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on aerial plankton of tiny insects and spiders; entire diet captured during non-stop aerial … | Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight. |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Asian Palm Swift
High, wavering whistle with slightly nasal quality; gently pulsed notes trembling upward, characteristic of evening flight calls.
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
Asian Palm Swift
Found from India and Sri Lanka east through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia. Common resident in open areas near palms.
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
Asian Palm Swift
White-collared Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Asian Palm Swift
Very slender; pale greyish-brown overall; paler below; extremely long deeply forked tail; tiny for a swift; South and Southeast Asian palm-nesting species; uniform pale brownish-grey coloration similar to African relative …
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
Asian Palm Swift
A slender swift (13 cm) widespread across South and Southeast Asia from India to the Philippines and Indonesia. Dark brown plumage with a deeply forked tail. Aerial insectivore, closely associated with palm trees, nesting on the underside of palm leaves. Abundant in tropical lowlands.
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.