Cassin's Spinetail vs Alpine Swift
Neafrapus cassini compared with Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cassin's Spinetail | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neafrapus cassini | Tachymarptis melba |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.2 cm (12.3 in) | 43.9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 39.5 g (1.39 oz) | 97.5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Diet | Catches aerial plankton of small insects and spiders in fast sweeping flight; roosts in rock … | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Cassin's Spinetail
Loud, penetrating screech followed by descending chatter; harsh staccato calls echoing through African forest understory.
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Cassin's Spinetail
Found in Central and East Africa from Cameroon east to Kenya and Tanzania. Resident in lowland rainforest and gallery forest.
Alpine Swift
Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Conservation Status
Cassin's Spinetail
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Cassin's Spinetail
Medium-large; dark blackish-brown upperparts; white rump patch; pale whitish underparts; very short stubby spinetail; Central African forest species; short rounded tail with spiny tips distinctive; larger and broader-winged than smaller …
Alpine Swift
Large; dark brown upperparts; white throat patch separated from white belly by dark brown breast band; brown flanks; bold tricoloured underpart pattern; one of Europe's largest swifts with distinctive white …
About These Birds
Cassin's Spinetail
A medium-sized swift (13-14 cm) of lowland tropical forests from Sierra Leone to Uganda. Dark plumage with a white belly patch. Spine-tipped tail feathers. Aerial insectivore, foraging in rapid, bat-like flight over the forest canopy. Colonial nester in hollow trees.
Alpine Swift
A large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 54-60 cm) with a white belly and throat contrasting with dark brown upperparts. Found from southern Europe and Africa to Central Asia. Aerial insectivore, foraging at great heights. Nests on cliff faces in large colonies. Powerful, fast flier.