African Swift vs White-chested Swift

Apus barbatus verglichen mit Cypseloides lemosi

Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal African Swift White-chested Swift
Wissenschaftlicher Name Apus barbatus Cypseloides lemosi
Ordnung Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familie Apodidae Apodidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge — —
Flügelspannweite 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 30,0 cm (11.8 in)
Gewicht 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 28,400000000000002 g (1.00 oz)
Ernährung Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing.
Gelegegröße 1-2 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

-

African Swift only

-

White-chested Swift only

Song & Call Comparison

African Swift

Gesang

Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.

White-chested Swift

Gesang

High, thin twittering; soft 'tsit' calls in flight; calls over Colombian waterfalls; very poorly known; thin, reedy contact notes; one of most rarely documented swifts

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.

White-chested Swift

Known from Colombia and adjacent Ecuador. One of the world's rarest swifts; recorded at waterfalls in humid forest foothills at 500–1,200 m.

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

White-chested Swift

How to Tell Them Apart

African Swift

Gefieder

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.

White-chested Swift

Gefieder

Black upperparts and wings; distinctive large white chest patch contrasting sharply with black throat and belly; white confined to central breast; Colombian endemic with unique bold bicoloured plumage unlike any …

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.

White-chested Swift

A medium-sized swift (14-15 cm) endemic to the upper Cauca Valley of Colombia. Sooty-black plumage with a white breast patch. Aerial insectivore of subtropical forests. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range and ongoing habitat loss.

More Birds to Explore