African Swift vs Biscutate Swift
Apus barbatus compared with Streptoprocne biscutata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Swift | Biscutate Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apus barbatus | Streptoprocne biscutata |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 38.4 cm (15.1 in) |
| Weight | 42.666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 106.67999999999999 g (3.76 oz) |
| Diet | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Aerial forager on tiny insects and wind-dispersed spiders; forages near water surfaces where insects concentrate. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-4 |
| 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.
Biscutate Swift
Loud, screeching trill; powerful 'schreeee' calls; similar to White-collared Swift but slightly lower; calls in large flocks over Brazilian mountains and waterfalls
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.
Biscutate Swift
Found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay in eastern South America. Resident in forest and open terrain; nests on rock faces.
Conservation Status
African Swift
Biscutate Swift
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.
Biscutate Swift
Large; blackish-brown with white collar interrupted at centre of nape creating two white patches rather than a complete ring; South American species readily distinguished from White-collared Swift by broken collar …
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.
Biscutate Swift
A large swift (19-21 cm) similar to White-collared Swift but with two separated white breast patches. Found in southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forested gorges. Nests behind waterfalls in large colonies.