African Swift vs White-collared Swift

Apus barbatus comparado com Streptoprocne zonaris

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo African Swift White-collared Swift
Nome científico Apus barbatus Streptoprocne zonaris
Ordem Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Família Apodidae Apodidae
Estado de conservação Least Concern Least Concern
Comprimento
Envergadura 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 42,5 cm (16.7 in)
Peso 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) 106,45 g (3.75 oz)
Dieta Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … Obligate aerial insectivore; gathers small flying insects, winged ants, and airborne spiders during flight.
Tamanho da postura 1-2 2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partilhados

Nenhum

African Swift only

Nenhum

White-collared Swift only

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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.

White-collared Swift

Canto

Loud, screaming 'shreee-shreee'; powerful screeching trill; calls from large flocks over mountains; very audible; one of the loudest Neotropical swifts; alarm a harsh rattle

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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.

White-collared Swift

Found from Mexico south through Central America to South America east of the Andes, reaching Bolivia and southern Brazil. Often in large flocks.

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Estado de conservação

Least Concern

African Swift

Least Concern

White-collared 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.

White-collared Swift

Plumagem

Large; glossy blue-black plumage with bold broad white collar encircling entire neck; collar clean and complete; underparts black; large slightly forked tail; among the most recognisable Neotropical swifts due to …

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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.

White-collared Swift

A very large swift (20-22 cm, wingspan 45-55 cm) with a bold white collar band, the largest New World swift. Found from Mexico to southern Brazil and the Caribbean. Aerial insectivore, foraging in large, noisy flocks over forests and cities. Nests behind waterfalls and in caves.

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