African Swift vs Horus Swift

Apus barbatus comparado com Apus horus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo African Swift Horus Swift
Nome científico Apus barbatus Apus horus
Ordem Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Família Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservação Least Concern Least Concern
Comprimento
Envergadura 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 30,0 cm (11.8 in)
Peso 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 27,5 g (0.97 oz)
Dieta Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Feeds on aerial plankton of tiny insects and spiders; entire diet captured during non-stop aerial …
Tamanho da postura 1-2 1-4
Population Trend
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Song & Call Comparison

African Swift

Canto

Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.

Horus Swift

Canto

Sharp, buzzy chip followed by short descending whistle; compact two-part call repeated persistently from elevated perch.

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Geographic Range & Migration

African Swift

Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. One of Africa's most common swift species.

Horus Swift

Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Resident in woodland and grassland near rivers.

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Estado de conservação

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

Horus Swift

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How to Tell Them Apart

African Swift

Plumagem

Dark sooty-brown throughout; pale throat patch whitish-grey; underparts slightly paler; broadly similar to Common Swift but slightly larger and marginally paler below; widespread Sub-Saharan African species.

Horus Swift

Plumagem

Dark sooty-brown; large white rump patch; white throat; pale flanks creating partial white underpart; square-ended tail; African species; compared to Little Swift, paler flanks give a more extensively white underpart …

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About These Birds

African Swift

A medium-sized swift (16-17 cm) found across sub-Saharan Africa. Dark sooty-brown plumage, darker than Pallid Swift. Aerial insectivore, foraging high over varied habitats from forests to savannas. Breeds on cliffs and buildings. Resident or partial migrant within Africa.

Horus Swift

A small swift (12-13 cm) found in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. Dark plumage with a white rump and throat. Aerial insectivore. Colonial nester on cliffs and buildings. Often nests in old swallow nests. Named after the Egyptian god Horus.

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