African Swift vs Lesser Antillean Swift

Apus barbatus comparado con Chaetura martinica

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo African Swift Lesser Antillean Swift
Nombre científico Apus barbatus Chaetura martinica
Orden Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familia Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservación Least Concern Least Concern
Longitud
Envergadura 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 21,6 cm (8.5 in)
Peso 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 12,6 g (0.44 oz)
Dieta 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 …
Tamaño de la puesta 1-2 3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Hábitats compartidos

Ninguno

African Swift only

Ninguno

Lesser Antillean 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.

Lesser Antillean Swift

Canto

Sharp, high-pitched squeaking in rapid succession; excited twittering with melodic inflection rising near breeding colony.

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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.

Lesser Antillean Swift

Found in the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe and Dominica south to St. Vincent and Grenada. Resident in forest and open areas.

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Estado de conservación

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

Lesser Antillean 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.

Lesser Antillean Swift

Plumaje

Small; dark sooty-brown overall; pale grey-brown rump slightly paler than back; underparts grey-brown; short spiny tail; Lesser Antilles endemic; very similar to Chapman's Swift but smaller and island-restricted with subtly …

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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.

Lesser Antillean Swift

Vencejo de las Antillas Menores (Chaetura martinica), 11 cm. Plumaje gris oscuro; rabadilla gris pálido. Cola corta. Endémico de las Antillas Menores (Martinica, Guadalupe, Dominica, Santa Lucía). Gregario; captura insectos en vuelo sobre bosques y zonas abiertas. Nidifica en huecos de árboles.

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