African Swift vs Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Apus barbatus comparé à Collocalia marginata

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut African Swift Philippine Glossy Swiftlet
Nom scientifique Apus barbatus Collocalia marginata
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Apodidae Apodidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated
Longueur
Envergure 34,2 cm (13.5 in)
Poids 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 7,2 g (0.25 oz)
Régime alimentaire Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Tiny aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; congregates where insects emerge over water.
Taille de la couvée 1-2 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

African Swift only

Aucun(e)

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet only

Song & Call Comparison

African Swift

Chant

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

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Chant

Very high thin twittering; 'tsit-tsit' in flight; echolocation clicks in cave roosts; extremely small; call barely audible to human ear; rapid chittering over Philippine forest

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.

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Endemic to the Philippines, found on most major islands. Resident in lowland and hill forest and open areas up to 1,500 m elevation.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

African Swift

Not Evaluated

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

How to Tell Them Apart

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.

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

Plumage

Tiny; glossy greenish-black upperparts; white-buff rump patch; dark sooty underparts; deeply forked tail; endemic to Philippine islands; the blue-green iridescence on the back is more pronounced than in drabber Collocalia …

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.

Philippine Glossy Swiftlet

A small swiftlet (9-10 cm) endemic to the Philippines. Glossy dark plumage with pale fringes on wing feathers. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy and clearings. Colonial nester in caves. Found across most major Philippine islands.

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