Polynesian Swiftlet vs African Palm Swift

Aerodramus leucophaeus comparado con Cypsiurus parvus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo Polynesian Swiftlet African Palm Swift
Nombre científico Aerodramus leucophaeus Cypsiurus parvus
Orden Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familia Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservación Least Concern Least Concern
Longitud
Envergadura 23,7 cm (9.3 in) 27,2 cm (10.7 in)
Peso 13,4 g (0.47 oz) 14,38 g (0.51 oz)
Dieta Aerial insectivore catching tiny flying insects, midges, and airborne spiders in fast low-altitude flight near … Exclusively aerial diet; consumes tiny flying insects and spiders, sometimes following insect swarms for km.
Tamaño de la puesta 2 1-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Hábitats compartidos

Polynesian Swiftlet only

Ninguno

African Palm Swift only

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Song & Call Comparison

Polynesian Swiftlet

Canto

High twittering; thin 'chip-chip' over French Polynesian islands; echolocation clicks in cave roosts; light-colored underparts distinguish it visually; calls unremarkable

African Palm Swift

Canto

Deep, hollow churring trill with resonant bass quality; prolonged vibrating call audible at significant range in open woodland.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Polynesian Swiftlet

Found across French Polynesia including the Society Islands, Marquesas, and Tuamotu. Resident in forest and open areas; nests in sea caves.

African Palm Swift

Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Somalia and south to South Africa. Common in open areas near palms; nests in palm leaves.

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Estado de conservación

Least Concern

Polynesian Swiftlet

Least Concern

African Palm Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

Polynesian Swiftlet

Plumaje

Small; dark brown-grey upperparts with minimal gloss; pale grey rump band; underparts whitish-grey; forked tail; East Polynesian endemic from Society Islands; slightly more uniformly dark than some Pacific congeners.

African Palm Swift

Plumaje

Slender and long-tailed; uniformly pale greyish-brown overall; underparts paler grey-buff; long deeply forked tail; pale uniform appearance with no contrasting markings; widespread African palm-nesting swift with distinctive slender silhouette.

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About These Birds

Polynesian Swiftlet

El vencejo de la Polinesia habita en las islas de la Polinesia francesa. Nidifica en cuevas y escarpes rocosos. Vulnerable a los cambios medioambientales y los depredadores introducidos. Familia Apodidae.

African Palm Swift

A slender swift (15-17 cm) with long, narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. Dark brown plumage. Found across sub-Saharan Africa in savanna and open woodland, closely associated with palm trees. Aerial insectivore. One of Africa's most abundant swift species.

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