African Swift vs White-naped Swift

Apus barbatus verglichen mit Streptoprocne semicollaris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal African Swift White-naped Swift
Wissenschaftlicher Name Apus barbatus Streptoprocne semicollaris
Ordnung Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familie Apodidae Apodidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge
Flügelspannweite 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 44,4 cm (17.5 in)
Gewicht 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 175,0 g (6.17 oz)
Ernährung Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Exclusively aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and spiders drifting in aerial plankton at altitude.
Gelegegröße 1-2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

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African Swift only

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White-naped 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-naped Swift

Gesang

Very loud screaming trill; deep, powerful 'shreee' from Mexico's largest swift; calls over cliffs and canyons; impressive volume; deeper than White-collared Swift

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-naped Swift

Endemic to Mexico from Nayarit south to Oaxaca. Found in montane forest and canyons at 1,000–3,000 m. Nests behind waterfalls.

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

White-naped 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-naped Swift

Gefieder

Very large; entirely black with white patch restricted to nape only, not forming a full collar; large square tail; Mexican endemic and the largest swift in Middle America; white nape …

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-naped Swift

A large swift (20-22 cm) endemic to Mexico, found in montane regions from Nayarit to Guerrero. Dark plumage with a white half-collar on the nape. Aerial insectivore, foraging over pine-oak forests and barrancas. Nests in large cave colonies. Near Threatened due to limited range.

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