African Swift vs Scarce Swift
Apus barbatus в сравнении с Schoutedenapus myoptilus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Характеристика | African Swift | Scarce Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Научное название | Apus barbatus | Schoutedenapus myoptilus |
| Отряд | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Семейство | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Охранный статус | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Длина | — | — |
| Размах крыльев | 34,2 cm (13.5 in) | 25,9 cm (10.2 in) |
| Масса | 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 26,916666666666668 g (0.95 oz) |
| Питание | 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. |
| Размер кладки | 1-2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Scarce Swift
High, sharp twittering; thin 'tsee-tsee' calls over African montane forest; rarely documented; calls from small flocks over mountain ridges; higher-pitched than larger African swifts
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.
Scarce Swift
Found in montane East Africa from Uganda and Kenya south to Malawi and Mozambique. Resident in mountain forests above 1,500 m. Scarce.
Охранный статус
African Swift
Scarce Swift
How to Tell Them Apart
African Swift
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.
Scarce Swift
Dark sooty-brown overall; underparts paler grey-brown; pale grey-buff chin; moderately forked tail; African montane swift of the Albertine Rift; name reflects rarity in field; plumage uniformly dark with minimal pale …
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.
Scarce Swift
A medium-sized swift (17-18 cm) found in montane forests of eastern Africa, from Ethiopia to Malawi and Mozambique. Dark sooty-brown plumage. Aerial insectivore, foraging over forest canopy at 1,000-3,000 m elevation. Uncommon and poorly known.