African Swift vs Pacific Swift

Apus barbatus comparado con Apus pacificus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo African Swift Pacific Swift
Nombre científico Apus barbatus Apus pacificus
Orden Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familia Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservación Least Concern Least Concern
Longitud
Envergadura 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 34,6 cm (13.6 in)
Peso 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 41,516666666666666 g (1.46 oz)
Dieta Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Feeds aerially on tiny insects and spiders, often following weather fronts where aerial plankton concentrates.
Tamaño de la puesta 1-2 1-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Hábitats compartidos

Ninguno

African Swift only

Ninguno

Pacific Swift only

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Song & Call Comparison

African Swift

Canto

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

Pacific Swift

Canto

Thin, reedy trill with nasal overtone; soft chattering notes delivered continuously during rapid low-level flight over fields.

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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.

Pacific Swift

Breeds from Siberia and Japan south to China and the Himalayas. Long-distance migrant wintering in Southeast Asia and Australia.

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Estado de conservación

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

Pacific Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

African Swift

Plumaje

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.

Pacific Swift

Plumaje

Dark blackish-brown upperparts; distinctive white rump patch contrasting with dark back; white throat patch; underparts dark with pale brown barring; deeply forked tail; white rump distinguishes it from Common Swift …

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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.

Pacific Swift

A medium-sized swift (17-18 cm) found across eastern Asia from Siberia to Australia. Dark plumage with a white rump patch and deeply forked tail. Aerial insectivore. A long-distance migrant, breeding in Asia and wintering in Southeast Asia and Australasia.

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