African Swift vs Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Apus barbatus comparado con Collocalia marginata

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo African Swift Philippine Glossy Swiftlet
Nombre científico Apus barbatus Collocalia marginata
Orden Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familia Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservación Least Concern Not Evaluated
Longitud
Envergadura 34,2 cm (13.5 in)
Peso 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 7,2 g (0.25 oz)
Dieta Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Tiny aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; congregates where insects emerge over water.
Tamaño de la puesta 1-2 --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Hábitats compartidos

Ninguno

African Swift only

Ninguno

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet 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.

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Canto

Very high thin twittering; 'tsit-tsit' in flight; echolocation clicks in cave roosts; extremely small; call barely audible to human ear; rapid chittering over Philippine forest

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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.

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Endemic to the Philippines, found on most major islands. Resident in lowland and hill forest and open areas up to 1,500 m elevation.

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Estado de conservación

Least Concern

African Swift

Not Evaluated

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

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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.

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Plumaje

Tiny; glossy greenish-black upperparts; white-buff rump patch; dark sooty underparts; deeply forked tail; endemic to Philippine islands; the blue-green iridescence on the back is more pronounced than in drabber Collocalia …

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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.

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

A small swiftlet (9-10 cm) endemic to the Philippines. Glossy dark plumage with pale fringes on wing feathers. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy and clearings. Colonial nester in caves. Found across most major Philippine islands.

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