African Swift vs Papuan Spinetail
Apus barbatus compared with Mearnsia novaeguineae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Papuan Spinetail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Mearnsia novaeguineae |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 26.0 cm (10.2 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 34.0 g (1.20 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | High-speed aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and aerial spiders during fast sustained flight. |
| 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.
Papuan Spinetail
Rapid buzzy twittering; sharp 'tsit-tsit-tsit' in low speedy flight; calls in tight flocks over New Guinea forest and rivers; wings produce audible whirring sound in fast flight
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.
Papuan Spinetail
Found in New Guinea from the northern coast to central ranges. Resident in lowland and hill forest along rivers and forest edge up to 1,500 m.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Papuan 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.
Papuan Spinetail
Dark blackish-brown upperparts; paler brownish-grey underparts; pale chin; short spiny tail with projecting shaft tips; New Guinea species; larger than Philippine Spinetail with broader wings relative to body; robust 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.
Papuan Spinetail
A large spinetail swift (12-14 cm) found in New Guinea and nearby islands. Dark plumage with spine-tipped tail feathers used for bracing against vertical surfaces. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest. Nests in tree hollows. Limited ecological data.