White-collared Swift vs Madagascar Spinetail
Streptoprocne zonaris compared with Zoonavena grandidieri
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-collared Swift | Madagascar Spinetail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Streptoprocne zonaris | Zoonavena grandidieri |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.5 cm (16.7 in) | 24.9 cm (9.8 in) |
| Weight | 106.45 g (3.75 oz) | 9.25 g (0.33 oz) |
| Diet | Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight. | Obligate aerial forager on small insects and airborne spiders; among the fastest-flying of all swift … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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
Madagascar Spinetail
Rapid, high-pitched chittering calls in flight; thin, insect-like trilling notes delivered in quick bursts above forest canopy.
Geographic Range & Migration
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.
Madagascar Spinetail
Endemic to Madagascar. Resident in forest edge and open areas across the island. Nests in hollow palms and rock crevices.
Conservation Status
White-collared Swift
Madagascar Spinetail
How to Tell Them Apart
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 …
Madagascar Spinetail
Tiny; dark brown-black upperparts; contrasting white rump patch; underparts pale whitish; short spiny tail; Malagasy endemic; white rump is the most diagnostic feature, recalling swiftlets but with characteristic spinetail tail …
About These Birds
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.
Madagascar Spinetail
A medium-sized spinetail swift (12-13 cm) endemic to Madagascar. Dark plumage with a pale rump and short, spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest and woodland. Nests in tree hollows. Found throughout Madagascar's remaining forested areas.