White-chested Swift vs White-throated Needletail

Cypseloides lemosi comparé à Hirundapus caudacutus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut White-chested Swift White-throated Needletail
Nom scientifique Cypseloides lemosi Hirundapus caudacutus
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Apodidae Apodidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 30,0 cm (11.8 in) 41,2 cm (16.2 in)
Poids 28,400000000000002 g (1.00 oz) 101,475 g (3.58 oz)
Régime alimentaire Obligate aerial forager catching small flies, aphids, winged termites, and airborne spiders on the wing. High-speed aerial insectivore catching small flying insects and aerial spiders during fast sustained flight.
Taille de la couvée -- 2-7
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

White-chested Swift only

Aucun(e)

White-throated Needletail 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

White-throated Needletail

Chant

Powerful, loud churring rattle descending in pitch; deep resonant trill audible from great distance, forceful and sustained.

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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.

White-throated Needletail

Breeds in Siberia, China, Japan, and the Himalayas. Long-distance migrant wintering in Australasia and Southeast Asia. Breeds in forests and cliffs.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

White-chested Swift

Least Concern

White-throated Needletail

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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 …

White-throated Needletail

Plumage

Large; dark blackish-brown upperparts with metallic green gloss; white throat and undertail coverts; pale white back saddle between wings; short spiny tail; one of the world's fastest birds; white throat …

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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.

White-throated Needletail

A large needletail swift (19-20 cm, wingspan 50-55 cm) with powerful, rapid flight. Dark brown plumage with a white throat and undertail. Spine-tipped tail. Breeds in forests of eastern Asia from Siberia to Australia. One of the fastest flying birds, reaching speeds over 160 km/h.

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