Savanna Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus affinis compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Savanna Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus affinis | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.9 cm (12.6 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 74.16666666666667 g (2.62 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Nocturnal aerial feeder on moths, beetles, and flying bugs; forages in open areas near woodland … | 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
Shared Habitats
Savanna Nightjar only
Antillean Nighthawk only
Song & Call Comparison
Savanna Nightjar
Loud, churring 'chwerrr'; resonant trill from South and Southeast Asian open habitats; calls from bare ground and burnt areas; very common nocturnal sound
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
Savanna Nightjar
Found in Indonesia and the Philippines on Sulawesi, Mindanao, and adjacent islands. Resident in lowland forest edge and scrub.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Savanna Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Savanna Nightjar
Pale greyish-brown upperparts with black shaft streaks and buff spotting; whitish supercilium and moustachial stripe; white throat patch; males show large white outer tail patches; widespread across South and Southeast …
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
Savanna Nightjar
A small nightjar (20-23 cm) widespread across South and Southeast Asia, from Pakistan to the Philippines. Pale grey-brown plumage with bold white wing patches visible in flight. Found in open habitats including fields, towns, and riverbanks. Crepuscular and nocturnal insectivore.
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.