Scarce Swift vs White-collared Swift
Schoutedenapus myoptilus compared with Streptoprocne zonaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Scarce Swift | White-collared Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Schoutedenapus myoptilus | Streptoprocne zonaris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm (10.2 in) | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) |
| Weight | 26.916666666666668 g (0.95 oz) | 106.45 g (3.75 oz) |
| Diet | Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight. | Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Scarce Swift
High, sharp twittering; thin 'tsee-tsee' calls over African montane forest; rarely documented; calls from small flocks over mountain ridges; higher-pitched than larger African swifts
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
Scarce Swift
Found in montane East Africa from Uganda and Kenya south to Malawi and Mozambique. Resident in mountain forests above 1,500 m. Scarce.
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
Scarce Swift
White-collared Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Scarce Swift
Dark sooty-brown overall; underparts paler grey-brown; pale grey-buff chin; moderately forked tail; African montane swift of the Albertine Rift; name reflects rarity in field; plumage uniformly dark with minimal pale …
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
Scarce Swift
A medium-sized swift (17-18 cm) found in montane forests of eastern Africa, from Ethiopia to Malawi and Mozambique. Dark sooty-brown plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy at 1,000-3,000 m elevation. Uncommon and poorly known.
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.