Mayr's Swiftlet vs African Swift

Aerodramus orientalis comparé à Apus barbatus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Mayr's Swiftlet African Swift
Nom scientifique Aerodramus orientalis Apus barbatus
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Apodidae Apodidae
Statut de conservation Data Deficient Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 25,0 cm (9.8 in) 34,2 cm (13.5 in)
Poids 13,3 g (0.47 oz) 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz)
Régime alimentaire Feeds aerially on tiny flying insects and drifting spiders; often forages in mixed-species flocks over … Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or …
Taille de la couvée -- 1-2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

Mayr's Swiftlet only

African Swift only

Aucun(e)

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Song & Call Comparison

Mayr's Swiftlet

Chant

Thin twittering calls; 'tsit-tsit' notes; echolocation clicks used in caves; data deficient species from Melanesia; poorly documented; calls indistinguishable from related species

African Swift

Chant

Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Mayr's Swiftlet

Found in the mountains of New Guinea (Jayawijaya and Saruwaged ranges) at 1,500–3,400 m. Resident in montane forest. Poorly known.

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.

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Statut de conservation

Data Deficient

Mayr's Swiftlet

Least Concern

African Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

Mayr's Swiftlet

Plumage

Small; dark brownish-grey upperparts with slight gloss; pale grey rump band; underparts pale whitish-grey; forked tail; Eastern Melanesian swiftlet; closely resembles Uniform Swiftlet but differs in rump contrast and geographic …

African Swift

Plumage

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.

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About These Birds

Mayr's Swiftlet

A small swiftlet (10-11 cm) found in New Guinea and adjacent islands. Dark plumage. Aerial insectivore. Colonial cave nester using echolocation. Named after Ernst Mayr. Taxonomy has been revised repeatedly. Limited ecological data available.

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.

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