African Black Swift vs Fork-tailed Swift

African Black Swift

Apus barbatus

Small43 gRocky

The African black swift is 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) long and bulky like a pallid swift; it appears entirely blackish-brown except for a small white or pale grey patch on the chin which is not visible from a distance. It has a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. This species is very similar to the common swift but can be distinguished under optimum viewing conditions by the contrast between its black back and paler secondary wing feathers.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Alan Manson · CC BY 2.0

Fork-tailed Swift

Apus pacificus

Small39 gWoodland

At 17–18 cm (6.7–7.1 in) in length, the Pacific swift is the largest of the Apus swifts. It has a 43-to-54-cm (17-to-21-in) wingspan. Females are slightly heavier than males, averaging 44.5 g (1.57 oz) against 42.5 g (1.50 oz). It is similar in general shape to the common swift, although slightly longer-winged and with a more protruding head. The fork of the tail is deeper, and the rump is broader. The upperparts are black, apart from a white rump band and a somewhat greyer head. Voice: The calls given by flocks near the breeding areas are typical swift screams, including a trilled tsiririri or harsher spee-eer. They resemble the cries of the common swift, but are softer and less wheezy. Pacific swifts are less vocal on the wintering grounds, but produce a variety of twitters and buzzes.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ozma · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: African Black Swift and Fork-tailed Swift.