Does capturing certain Pokemon require different lengths of swiping the pokeball?
Yes different types of pokemon are a different "distance" away from your pokeball. Flying pokemon such as zubats require a longer throw while small pokemon such as weedles and caterpies tend to require shorter distances. Other larger ground pokemon tend to be in between these two distances. CP also has some effect on distance where a higher CP weedle is further away than a lower CP weedle.
Also for whatever reason Pidgies and Spearows don't really fly so they can also be really close to the pokeball.
Source: Personal experience