White-chested Swift vs Alpine Swift

Cypseloides lemosi comparé à Tachymarptis melba

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut White-chested Swift Alpine Swift
Nom scientifique Cypseloides lemosi Tachymarptis melba
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Apodidae Apodidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 30,0 cm (11.8 in) 43,9 cm (17.3 in)
Poids 28,400000000000002 g (1.00 oz) 97,5 g (3.44 oz)
Régime alimentaire Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing. Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal …
Taille de la couvée -- 1-4
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

White-chested Swift only

Alpine Swift only

Aucun(e)

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Song & Call Comparison

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

Alpine Swift

Chant

Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.

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Geographic Range & Migration

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.

Alpine Swift

Breeds from southern Europe and North Africa east through Central Asia and the Himalayas to India. Migratory; winters in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

White-chested Swift

Least Concern

Alpine Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

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 …

Alpine Swift

Plumage

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 …

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About These Birds

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.

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.

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