Birdr

White-rumped Swift vs African Palm Swift

Apus caffer versus Cypsiurus parvus

Practice

Play a quiz with White-rumped Swift and African Palm Swift

White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer) White-rumped Swift
African Palm Swift (Cypsiurus parvus) African Palm Swift

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In short

The most reliable field mark to distinguish the White-rumped Swift from the African Palm Swift is the presence of a distinct white rump on the White-rumped Swift, which is absent in the African Palm Swift. Both species have similar overall dark plumage and swift-like flight patterns, but their tail shapes differ, with the African Palm Swift having a more deeply forked tail.

Identification tips

  1. Look for the white rump on the White-rumped Swift. 2. Note the tail shape: the African Palm Swift has a more deeply forked tail compared to the White-rumped Swift.

Plumage

The White-rumped Swift has a distinct white rump patch, while the African Palm Swift lacks this feature. Both species have dark plumage overall.

Submit a better description

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The most reliable field mark to distinguish the White-rumped Swift from the African Palm Swift is the presence of a distinct white rump on the White-rumped Swift, which is absent in the African Palm Swift. Both species have similar overall dark plumage and swift-like flight patterns, but their tail shapes differ, with the African Palm Swift having a more deeply forked tail.

  1. Look for the white rump on the White-rumped Swift. 2. Note the tail shape: the African Palm Swift has a more deeply forked tail compared to the White-rumped Swift.

The White-rumped Swift has a distinct white rump patch, while the African Palm Swift lacks this feature. Both species have dark plumage overall.

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White-rumped Swift · African Palm Swift · My Tricky Birds