Biscutate Swift vs Alpine Swift
Streptoprocne biscutata comparé à Tachymarptis melba
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Biscutate Swift | Alpine Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Streptoprocne biscutata | Tachymarptis melba |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Famille | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 38,4 cm (15.1 in) | 43,9 cm (17.3 in) |
| Poids | 106,67999999999999 g (3.76 oz) | 97,5 g (3.44 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Aerial forager on tiny insects and wind-dispersed spiders; forages near water surfaces where insects concentrate. | Aerial insectivore taking small flying insects and spiders; may forage at great heights following thermal … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-4 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Biscutate Swift
Loud, screeching trill; powerful 'schreeee' calls; similar to White-collared Swift but slightly lower; calls in large flocks over Brazilian mountains and waterfalls
Alpine Swift
Rapid series of short, clipped whistles; bright, clean notes delivered in quick succession with occasional doubled phrase.
Geographic Range & Migration
Biscutate Swift
Found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay in eastern South America. Resident in forest and open terrain; nests on rock faces.
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
Biscutate Swift
Alpine Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
Biscutate Swift
Large; blackish-brown with white collar interrupted at centre of nape creating two white patches rather than a complete ring; South American species readily distinguished from White-collared Swift by broken collar …
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
Biscutate Swift
A large swift (19-21 cm) similar to White-collared Swift but with two separated white breast patches. Found in southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forested gorges. Nests behind waterfalls in large colonies.
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.