Mascarene Swiftlet vs Great Dusky Swift

Aerodramus francicus comparé à Cypseloides senex

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Mascarene Swiftlet Great Dusky Swift
Nom scientifique Aerodramus francicus Cypseloides senex
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Apodidae Apodidae
Statut de conservation Near Threatened Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 21,8 cm (8.6 in) 33,8 cm (13.3 in)
Poids 10,419999999999998 g (0.37 oz) 83,0 g (2.93 oz)
Régime alimentaire Aerial insectivore consuming minute dipterans, midges, and ballooning spiders caught in continuous fast flight. Feeds on aerial plankton of tiny insects and spiders; entire diet captured during non-stop aerial …
Taille de la couvée 1-2 1-2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Mascarene Swiftlet only

Aucun(e)

Great Dusky Swift only

Aucun(e)

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Song & Call Comparison

Mascarene Swiftlet

Chant

Thin, rapid chittering; soft 'tsit' notes over Reunion and Mauritius; echolocation clicks in cave roosts; endemic island species; calls weakly; colonial roosting produces faint noise

Great Dusky Swift

Chant

Loud, churring trill; harsher and louder than other Cypseloides; calls over Iguacu Falls and major Neotropical waterfalls; buzzy 'bzzzt-bzzzt' in aerial groups

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Geographic Range & Migration

Mascarene Swiftlet

Endemic to the Mascarene Islands of Réunion and Mauritius in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Nests in sea caves and rock crevices.

Great Dusky Swift

Found in eastern South America from Venezuela and the Guianas south to Bolivia and Paraguay. Resident near rocky cliffs and waterfalls.

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Statut de conservation

Near Threatened

Mascarene Swiftlet

Least Concern

Great Dusky Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

Mascarene Swiftlet

Plumage

Small; dark blackish-brown upperparts with slight greenish gloss; pale buff-grey rump band; pale grey-white underparts; forked tail; Mascarene Island endemic of Réunion and Mauritius with slightly dusky-toned underparts.

Great Dusky Swift

Plumage

Very large; entirely dark sooty-brown with pale grey forehead and chin scaling; slightly paler underparts; broad wings; largest Cypseloides swift; South American waterfall specialist with dusky uniform plumage and imposing …

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About These Birds

Mascarene Swiftlet

A small swiftlet (10-11 cm) endemic to Mauritius and Réunion in the western Indian Ocean. Dark brown plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest and agricultural areas. Colonial cave nester using echolocation for navigation. Population stable but geographically restricted.

Great Dusky Swift

A large swift (18-20 cm) of southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Dark sooty-brown plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forested gorges and waterfalls. Nests in large colonies behind waterfalls. The largest member of the genus Cypseloides.

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