Southern Swift vs Alpine Swift
Chaetura meridionalis verglichen mit Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Merkmal | Southern Swift | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Wissenschaftlicher Name | Chaetura meridionalis | Tachymarptis melba |
| Ordnung | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Familie | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Erhaltungsstatus | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Länge | — | — |
| Flügelspannweite | 26,3 cm (10.4 in) | 43,9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Gewicht | 19,8 g (0.70 oz) | 97,5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Ernährung | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Gelegegröße | 3-5 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Southern Swift
Faint, thin squealing trill; rapid metallic chips cascading high-pitched over coastal forest, almost ventriloquial in quality.
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Southern Swift
Found in southern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Migratory, moving north to Amazonia during the austral winter. Open areas and forest.
Alpine Swift
Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Erhaltungsstatus
Southern Swift
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Southern Swift
Small; dark sooty-brown overall; pale grey rump band moderately contrasting with dark back; underparts dark grey-brown; short spiny tail; southern South American migratory species; closely resembles Ashy-tailed Swift but rump …
Alpine Swift
Large; dark brown upperparts; white throat patch separated from white belly by dark brown breast band; brown flanks; bold tricoloured underpart pattern; one of Europe's largest swifts with distinctive white …
About These Birds
Southern Swift
A small swift (11-12 cm) found in southeastern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Dark grey-brown plumage. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore. A long-distance austral migrant, breeding in southern Brazil and migrating north to Amazonia in the austral winter.
Alpine Swift
A large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 54-60 cm) with a white belly and throat contrasting with dark brown upperparts. Found from southern Europe and Africa to Central Asia. Aerial insectivore, foraging at great heights. Nests on cliff faces in large colonies. Powerful, fast flier.