Yucatan Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk

Antrostomus badius compared with Chordeiles gundlachii

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Yucatan Nightjar Antillean Nighthawk
Scientific Name Antrostomus badius Chordeiles gundlachii
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 32.6 cm (12.8 in) 34.2 cm (13.5 in)
Weight 58.03333333333333 g (2.05 oz) 56.05 g (1.98 oz)
Diet Nocturnal aerial insectivore; catches moths and flying insects over Yucatan dry forest and scrub. Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk.
Clutch Size 2 1-2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Yucatan Nightjar only

None

Antillean Nighthawk only

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Song & Call Comparison

Yucatan Nightjar

Song

Whistled 'WEEP-weep' phrase; clear, melodic call from Yucatan dry forest; repeated steadily at night; lower than Tawny-collared; alarm a sharp bark note

Antillean Nighthawk

Song

Distinctive 'kill-and-dee-dick' or 'killydee'; buzzy nasal call audible overhead; faster and shorter phrasing than Common Nighthawk; Caribbean accent clear

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Geographic Range & Migration

Yucatan Nightjar

Resident of lowland tropical forest and scrub in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Belize, and northern Guatemala.

Antillean Nighthawk

Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Yucatan Nightjar

Least Concern

Antillean Nighthawk

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How to Tell Them Apart

Yucatan Nightjar

Plumage

Brown and grey mottled above with buff vermiculations; lacks tawny collar of Tawny-collared Nightjar; white gorget in male; pale buff below; white outer tail spots in male; buff tail in …

Antillean Nighthawk

Plumage

Brown and buff mottled above with dark brown streaking; white throat patch in male; barred buff-white underparts; white wing bar across primaries; white tail band in male; female has buff …

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About These Birds

Yucatan Nightjar

A medium-small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~58 g) restricted to the Yucatan Peninsula, northern Guatemala, and northern Belize. Inhabits dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forest. Brown-and-buff cryptic plumage. Calls with a repetitive whip-like phrase at night. Feeds on moths and beetles. Least Concern; limited but stable range.

Antillean Nighthawk

A small Caprimulgidae nighthawk (~56 g) of open scrub, savannas, and coastal habitats in the Caribbean from Cuba and Hispaniola to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Very similar to the Common Nighthawk but separated by voice. Migratory; winters in South America. Aerial insectivore; Least Concern.

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