Vaux's Swift vs Alpine Swift
Chaetura vauxi comparado con Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Vaux's Swift | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre científico | Chaetura vauxi | Tachymarptis melba |
| Orden | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Familia | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Estado de conservación | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longitud | — | — |
| Envergadura | 22,3 cm (8.8 in) | 43,9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Peso | 18,033333333333335 g (0.64 oz) | 97,5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Dieta | Exclusively aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and spiders drifting in aerial plankton at altitude. | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Tamaño de la puesta | 1-7 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Vaux's Swift
Soft, high sibilant whisper followed by ticking notes; delicate trill barely audible beyond immediate roosting vicinity.
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Vaux's Swift
Breeds in western North America from Alaska south to Central America. Migrates to winter in Venezuela and northwestern South America.
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
Vaux's Swift
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Vaux's Swift
Small; dark sooty-brown upperparts; pale grey rump slightly paler than back; underparts pale greyish-brown; short spiny tail; smaller and paler-bellied than Chimney Swift; Pacific coast North American species with subtly …
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
Vaux's Swift
Vencejo de Vaux (Chaetura vauxi), 10–11 cm. El vencejo más pequeño de Norteamérica. Plumaje pardo grisáceo; rabadilla más pálida. Cola corta. Cría en el oeste de Norteamérica e inverna en América Central y del Sur. Frecuentemente usa chimeneas para nidificar. Gregario en migración.
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.