Fork-tailed Swift vs House Swift

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

House Swift

Apus nipalensis

Small30 gUrban

The house swift looks quite similar to the little swift. It is a small bird, but a medium-sized swift, with a wingspan of 12.5-14.5 cm. Its body size ranges from 14 to 16 cm and weighs approximately 20-35 g. This species has a dark, slightly forked tail. Other than the white rump band and white throat-patch, the house swift has a black plumage, darker than the little swift. Voice: House swifts make a ti-ti-ti-tititrrrrrr sound, among many others, as part of their vocal catalogues.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Opisska · CC0

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