Lesser Antillean Swift vs Alpine Swift

Chaetura martinica comparado con Tachymarptis melba

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo Lesser Antillean Swift Alpine Swift
Nombre científico Chaetura martinica Tachymarptis melba
Orden Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familia Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservación Least Concern Least Concern
Longitud
Envergadura 21,6 cm (8.5 in) 43,9 cm (17.3 in)
Peso 12,6 g (0.44 oz) 97,5 g (3.44 oz)
Dieta Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal …
Tamaño de la puesta 3 1-4
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Hábitats compartidos

Ninguno

Lesser Antillean Swift only

Alpine Swift only

Ninguno

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Song & Call Comparison

Lesser Antillean Swift

Canto

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

Alpine Swift

Canto

Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Lesser Antillean Swift

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

Alpine Swift

Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Estado de conservación

Least Concern

Lesser Antillean Swift

Least Concern

Alpine Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

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 …

Alpine Swift

Plumaje

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 …

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About These Birds

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.

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.

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