Vaux's Swift vs Alpine Swift
Chaetura vauxi comparé à Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Vaux's Swift | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Chaetura vauxi | Tachymarptis melba |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Famille | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 22,3 cm (8.8 in) | 43,9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Poids | 18,033333333333335 g (0.64 oz) | 97,5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Exclusively aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and spiders drifting in aerial plankton at altitude. | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-7 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Vaux's Swift
Soft, high sibilant whisper followed by ticking notes; delicate trill barely audible beyond immediate roosting vicinity.
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Vaux's Swift
Breeds in western North America from Alaska south to Central America. Migrates to winter in Venezuela and northwestern South America.
Alpine Swift
Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Statut de conservation
Vaux's Swift
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Vaux's Swift
Small; dark sooty-brown upperparts; pale grey rump slightly paler than back; underparts pale greyish-brown; short spiny tail; smaller and paler-bellied than Chimney Swift; Pacific coast North American species with subtly …
Alpine Swift
Large; dark brown upperparts; white throat patch separated from white belly by dark brown breast band; brown flanks; bold tricoloured underpart pattern; one of Europe's largest swifts with distinctive white …
About These Birds
Vaux's Swift
A small swift (11-12 cm) found in western North America from Alaska to Central America. Dark grey-brown plumage similar to Chimney Swift but smaller. Spine-tipped tail. Aerial insectivore, nesting in hollow trees and chimneys. Partial migrant wintering in Central America.
Alpine Swift
A large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 54-60 cm) with a white belly and throat contrasting with dark brown upperparts. Found from southern Europe and Africa to Central Asia. Aerial insectivore, foraging at great heights. Nests on cliff faces in large colonies. Powerful, fast flier.