African Swift vs Glossy Swiftlet
Apus barbatus comparé à Collocalia esculenta
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | African Swift | Glossy Swiftlet |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Apus barbatus | Collocalia esculenta |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Famille | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 34,2 cm (13.5 in) | 19,9 cm (7.8 in) |
| Poids | 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 8,66 g (0.31 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Feeds on aerial plankton including tiny flies and spiders; forages in large noisy flocks above … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| 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.
Glossy Swiftlet
Rapid, high-pitched twittering; thin 'tsit-tsit-tsit' in flight; echolocation clicks audible in cave roosts; very common; calls over forest and open areas; colonial and noisy
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.
Glossy Swiftlet
Found from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to New Guinea, Australia, and Pacific islands. One of the most widespread swiftlets.
Statut de conservation
African Swift
Glossy Swiftlet
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.
Glossy Swiftlet
Tiny; brilliant blue-green glossy upperparts; contrasting white rump patch; white underparts; deeply forked tail; widespread Indo-Pacific species and one of the most colourful swiftlets with a striking tricolour of gloss, …
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.
Glossy Swiftlet
A small swiftlet (9-10 cm) widespread from the Malay Peninsula through Indonesia to the Pacific islands. Glossy blue-black upperparts with whitish or grey underparts. Aerial insectivore, foraging in flocks over forest and open country. Colonial nester in caves and under rock overhangs.