Cuban Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Antrostomus cubanensis compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cuban Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Antrostomus cubanensis | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 35.0 cm (13.8 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 71.4 g (2.52 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Hawks moths and flying insects at night over Cuban dry forest and coastal scrub. | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Cuban Nightjar
Rich, whistled 'chip-CHURR-wee' or 'whip-poor-will' variant; melodic rolling phrase; calls from Cuban pine forest at night; similar to Whip-poor-will but warmer toned
Antillean Nighthawk
Distinctive 'kill-and-dee-dick' or 'killydee'; buzzy nasal call audible overhead; faster and shorter phrasing than Common Nighthawk; Caribbean accent clear
Geographic Range & Migration
Cuban Nightjar
Endemic to Cuba and the Isle of Youth; resident of open pine woodland, scrub, and savanna.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Cuban Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Cuban Nightjar
Brown and grey mottled with dark vermiculations; white gorget in male; white inner tail feather webs in male; buff throat and buff tail markings in female; overall pattern similar to …
Antillean Nighthawk
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 …
About These Birds
Cuban Nightjar
A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~71 g) endemic to Cuba and the Isle of Youth. Inhabits dry and semi-deciduous forest, woodland edges, and scrub. Cryptic brown-grey plumage. Males call 'que-to-do, que-to-do' repeatedly at night. Feeds on flying insects. Least Concern within its island 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.