African Swift vs Southern Swift

Apus barbatus comparado con Chaetura meridionalis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo African Swift Southern Swift
Nombre científico Apus barbatus Chaetura meridionalis
Orden Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familia Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservación Least Concern Least Concern
Longitud
Envergadura 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 26,3 cm (10.4 in)
Peso 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 19,8 g (0.70 oz)
Dieta Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or …
Tamaño de la puesta 1-2 3-5
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Hábitats compartidos

Ninguno

African Swift only

Ninguno

Southern 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.

Southern Swift

Canto

Faint, thin squealing trill; rapid metallic chips cascading high-pitched over coastal forest, almost ventriloquial in quality.

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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.

Southern Swift

Found in southern South America from Brazil to Argentina. Migratory, moving north to Amazonia during the austral winter. Open areas and forest.

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Estado de conservación

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

Southern 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.

Southern Swift

Plumaje

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 …

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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.

Southern Swift

Vencejo del sur (Chaetura meridionalis), 11–12 cm. Plumaje pardo-negruzco; rabadilla gris clara contrastante. Cola corta. Habita en América del Sur (Brasil, Paraguay, Argentina). Migrador parcial. Vuela en grupos. A menudo confundido con el vencejo de cola corta; se distingue por la rabadilla más pálida.

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