Silky-tailed Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Antrostomus sericocaudatus compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Silky-tailed Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Antrostomus sericocaudatus | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.1 cm (12.6 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 77.5 g (2.73 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Hawks moths and beetles in nocturnal aerial sallies over South American lowland and foothill forest. | 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
Silky-tailed Nightjar
Whistled, rolling 'pwee-pwee-pwee'; melodic phrase from Amazonian forest; calls persistently at dusk; slightly slurred delivery; alarm a sudden sharp note
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
Silky-tailed Nightjar
Resident of lowland and foothill forest in southern Brazil (São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina) and adjacent Paraguay and Argentina.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Silky-tailed Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Silky-tailed Nightjar
Brown and buff mottled above with dark vermiculations; white gorget in male; outer tail feathers with silky-white inner webs giving smooth appearance; pale buff below; female with buff gorget and …
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
Silky-tailed Nightjar
A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~78 g) of humid lowland Atlantic Forest and adjacent cerrado edges in central and southeastern Brazil and adjacent Paraguay. Named for its silky-textured outer tail feathers. Cryptic brown plumage. Nocturnal insectivore. Rarely recorded; biology little known. 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.