African Swift vs White-chested Swift

Apus barbatus comparé à Cypseloides lemosi

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut African Swift White-chested Swift
Nom scientifique Apus barbatus Cypseloides lemosi
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Apodidae Apodidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 30,0 cm (11.8 in)
Poids 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 28,400000000000002 g (1.00 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 --
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

African Swift only

Aucun(e)

White-chested Swift only

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Song & Call Comparison

African Swift

Chant

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

White-chested Swift

Chant

High, thin twittering; soft 'tsit' calls in flight; calls over Colombian waterfalls; very poorly known; thin, reedy contact notes; one of most rarely documented swifts

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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.

White-chested Swift

Known from Colombia and adjacent Ecuador. One of the world's rarest swifts; recorded at waterfalls in humid forest foothills at 500–1,200 m.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

White-chested Swift

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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.

White-chested Swift

Plumage

Black upperparts and wings; distinctive large white chest patch contrasting sharply with black throat and belly; white confined to central breast; Colombian endemic with unique bold bicoloured plumage unlike any …

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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.

White-chested Swift

A medium-sized swift (14-15 cm) endemic to the upper Cauca Valley of Colombia. Sooty-black plumage with a white breast patch. Aerial insectivore of subtropical forests. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range and ongoing habitat loss.

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