African Swift vs Philippine Spinetail
Apus barbatus compared with Mearnsia picina
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Philippine Spinetail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Mearnsia picina |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 32.3 cm (12.7 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 11.5 g (0.41 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; forages at speed over forest and open … |
| 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.
Philippine Spinetail
High-pitched, buzzy twittering; sharp 'tsit-tsit' in fast low-level flight over Philippine forest; calls rapidly in tight flocks; distinctive wing sound in fast aerial display
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.
Philippine Spinetail
Endemic to the Philippines, found on Mindanao and adjacent southern islands. Resident in lowland and hill forest and edge. Uncommon.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Philippine 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.
Philippine Spinetail
Tiny but long-winged; dark blackish-brown overall; pale grey-white throat and chin; short spiny tail projections visible at close range; Philippine endemic; small size contrasts with proportionally very long scythe-like wings.
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.
Philippine Spinetail
A large spinetail swift (12-13 cm) endemic to the Philippines. Dark plumage with short, spine-tipped tail feathers. Aerial insectivore, foraging over lowland and montane forest. Colonial nester in tree hollows and cliff crevices. Uncommon and poorly studied.