Pallid Swift vs Chimney Swift

Apus pallidus comparé à Chaetura pelagica

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Pallid Swift Chimney Swift
Nom scientifique Apus pallidus Chaetura pelagica
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Apodidae Apodidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Vulnerable
Longueur
Envergure 33,4 cm (13.1 in) 24,9 cm (9.8 in)
Poids 42,25 g (1.49 oz) 22,666666666666668 g (0.80 oz)
Régime alimentaire Aerial insectivore foraging continuously in flight, taking tiny flies, beetles, and ballooning spiders. Aerial forager on tiny insects and wind-dispersed spiders; forages near water surfaces where insects concentrate.
Taille de la couvée 1-4 2-7
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Pallid Swift only

Chimney Swift only

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Song & Call Comparison

Pallid Swift

Chant

Melodic, rolling trill with rich timbre; sustained musical phrase with slight variations on repeated delivery at dusk.

Chimney Swift

Chant

Rapid, liquid twittering with bright cheerful quality; chi-chi-chi staccato notes carrying well across open sky at dusk.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Pallid Swift

Breeds in the Mediterranean and North Africa east to Pakistan. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia.

Chimney Swift

Breeds in eastern North America from Canada south to Texas. Long-distance migrant wintering in the upper Amazon basin of Peru and Brazil.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Pallid Swift

Vulnerable

Chimney Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

Pallid Swift

Plumage

Medium-large; pale brownish-grey overall, distinctly paler than Common Swift; larger pale throat patch; wing coverts show pale scaly edges; Mediterranean and Middle Eastern species; pale sandy-brown tone separates it from …

Chimney Swift

Plumage

Small; uniformly dark sooty-grey overall with slightly paler grey throat and chin; no contrasting rump patch; short spiny tail; sexes identical; North American chimney-nesting species famous for its swirling pre-roost …

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About These Birds

Pallid Swift

A medium-sized swift (16-17 cm) similar to Common Swift but paler, sandy-brown overall with a larger white throat patch. Found across southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Aerial insectivore. Long-distance migrant wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Chimney Swift

A medium-sized swift (12-15 cm) famous for roosting and nesting inside chimneys across eastern North America. Dark grey-brown plumage with a cigar-shaped body and short, spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore catching flying insects. Long-distance migrant wintering in northwestern South America.

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