African Swift vs Grey-rumped Swift
Apus barbatus comparé à Chaetura cinereiventris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | African Swift | Grey-rumped Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Apus barbatus | Chaetura cinereiventris |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Famille | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 34,2 cm (13.5 in) | 20,9 cm (8.2 in) |
| Poids | 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 16,15 g (0.57 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing. |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-2 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Grey-rumped Swift
Soft, rippling trill with gentle buzzy overtones; light aerial call carrying a faint liquid quality on calm mornings.
Geographic Range & Migration
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.
Grey-rumped Swift
Found from Nicaragua south through Central America and northwestern South America to Bolivia and Brazil. Resident in lowland forest and edge.
Statut de conservation
African Swift
Grey-rumped Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
African Swift
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.
Grey-rumped Swift
Small; dark blackish-brown upperparts; pale grey rump contrasting with dark back; underparts dark grey-brown; short spiny tail; Neotropical species with the grey rump as key field mark; widespread from Caribbean …
About These Birds
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.
Grey-rumped Swift
A medium-sized swift (11-12 cm) found in humid forests from Central America to southern Brazil. Dark grey plumage with a contrasting pale grey rump band. Short, spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy. Nests behind waterfalls and in caves.