Buff-collared Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Antrostomus ridgwayi compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-collared Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Antrostomus ridgwayi | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 49.5 g (1.75 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Catches moths and flying insects at night over arid scrub and rocky canyons of Mexico … | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Buff-collared Nightjar
Rapid, staccato 'cuk-cuk-cuk-WEEEER'; accelerating series ending in long slurred note; carries through arid Mexican canyons; distinctive rapid chucking intro
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
Buff-collared Nightjar
Breeds in arid scrub and dry woodland in southwestern USA (Arizona, New Mexico) and western Mexico; winters south to Honduras.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Buff-collared Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Buff-collared Nightjar
Brown and grey mottled with dark vermiculations; buff-orange collar across hindneck diagnostic; white gorget in male; pale buff underparts with dark barring; white outer tail spots in male; arid southwest …
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
Buff-collared Nightjar
A medium-small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~50 g) of arid scrub, rocky canyon slopes, and thorn forest from the southwestern United States to Nicaragua. A buff nuchal collar distinguishes it from similar species. Calls with a loud 'cuck-cuck-cuck-coo-chee' phrase. Feeds on moths and beetles. Least Concern.
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.