Horus Swift vs Alpine Swift
Apus horus comparado con Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Horus Swift | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre científico | Apus horus | Tachymarptis melba |
| Orden | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Familia | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Estado de conservación | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longitud | — | — |
| Envergadura | 30,0 cm (11.8 in) | 43,9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Peso | 27,5 g (0.97 oz) | 97,5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Dieta | Feeds on aerial plankton of tiny insects and spiders; entire diet captured during non-stop aerial … | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Tamaño de la puesta | 1-4 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Song & Call Comparison
Horus Swift
Sharp, buzzy chip followed by short descending whistle; compact two-part call repeated persistently from elevated perch.
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Horus Swift
Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Resident in woodland and grassland near rivers.
Alpine Swift
Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Estado de conservación
Horus Swift
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Horus Swift
Dark sooty-brown; large white rump patch; white throat; pale flanks creating partial white underpart; square-ended tail; African species; compared to Little Swift, paler flanks give a more extensively white underpart …
Alpine Swift
Large; dark brown upperparts; white throat patch separated from white belly by dark brown breast band; brown flanks; bold tricoloured underpart pattern; one of Europe's largest swifts with distinctive white …
About These Birds
Horus Swift
A small swift (12-13 cm) found in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. Dark plumage with a white rump and throat. Aerial insectivore. Colonial nester on cliffs and buildings. Often nests in old swallow nests. Named after the Egyptian god Horus.
Alpine Swift
A large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 54-60 cm) with a white belly and throat contrasting with dark brown upperparts. Found from southern Europe and Africa to Central Asia. Aerial insectivore, foraging at great heights. Nests on cliff faces in large colonies. Powerful, fast flier.