Mottled Spinetail vs Alpine Swift

In short

The Mottled Spinetail and Alpine Swift can be distinguished by their wing and tail shapes. The Mottled Spinetail has a distinctive 'butter-knife' wing shape with hooked outer wings and a prominent tail that appears rounded when spread. In contrast, the Alpine Swift has a more streamlined wing shape typical of swifts.

Identification tips

1. Look for the 'butter-knife' wing shape and prominent tail of the Mottled Spinetail. 2. Check for pale-mottled throat and ventral areas on the Mottled Spinetail. 3. Listen for the rhythmic call of the Mottled Spinetail, as it is rather silent otherwise.

Plumage

The Mottled Spinetail features pale-mottled throat and ventral areas on otherwise black-brown upperparts and underparts, while the Alpine Swift is generally uniform in coloration without such mottling.

Voice

The Mottled Spinetail is rather silent but can produce a repeated rhythmic call and a longer 'shree-shree-skii-skirrrrrreeeee'.