African Swift vs Bates's Swift
Apus barbatus comparado con Apus batesi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | African Swift | Bates's Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre científico | Apus barbatus | Apus batesi |
| Orden | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Familia | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Estado de conservación | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longitud | — | — |
| Envergadura | 34,2 cm (13.5 in) | 24,6 cm (9.7 in) |
| Peso | 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 22,1 g (0.78 oz) |
| Dieta | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Entirely airborne feeder on tiny flies, gnats, and airborne arachnids; one of the most aerial … |
| Tamaño de la puesta | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Bates's Swift
Rapid, light twittering with bright crystalline quality; cascading series of high pure notes tumbling freely in open air.
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.
Bates's Swift
Found in a restricted range in West and Central Africa from Cameroon and Gabon. Resident in lowland rainforest. Rare and poorly known.
Estado de conservación
African Swift
Bates's Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
African Swift
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.
Bates's Swift
Small; dark sooty-brown overall; narrow pale greyish-white rump band; pale greyish chin; underparts dark brown; forked tail; West African forest species; the narrowest and dullest rump band among African white-rumped …
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.
Bates's Swift
A medium-sized swift (16-17 cm) found in lowland and montane forests of West and Central Africa. Dark plumage with a greenish gloss. Aerial insectivore. Colonial breeder. One of the least known African swifts due to its forest habitat. Named after George Latimer Bates.