Andaman Nightjar vs Indian Nightjar

Caprimulgus andamanicus compared with Caprimulgus asiaticus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Nightjar Indian Nightjar
Scientific Name Caprimulgus andamanicus Caprimulgus asiaticus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 36.4 cm (14.3 in) 29.5 cm (11.6 in)
Weight 66.06666666666666 g (2.33 oz) 43.0 g (1.52 oz)
Diet Night-hunting insectivore targeting moths, flying beetles, and winged ants in erratic low-altitude aerial passes. --
Clutch Size 1-2 2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Andaman Nightjar only

Indian Nightjar only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Nightjar

Song

Loud 'chuck-chuck-trrr'; hollow knocking prefix followed by trill; endemic to Andaman Islands; calls at night from forest edges and clearings; similar to Large-tailed

Indian Nightjar

Song

Loud 'chuck-chuck-chuck-r'; rapid hollow knocking notes accelerating into a trill; carries far across South Asian scrub; distinctive rhythm; very persistent at night

Geographic Range & Migration

Andaman Nightjar

Endemic to the Philippines including Luzon and Mindanao. Resident in lowland and submontane forest and forest edge up to 1,800 m.

Indian Nightjar

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Nightjar

Least Concern

Indian Nightjar

How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Nightjar

Plumage

Warm rufous-brown upperparts with black-centred scapulars and pale buff streaks; broad white throat patch; males show white outer tail feathers; underparts buff barred brown; endemic island coloration slightly warmer than …

Indian Nightjar

Plumage

Greyish-brown upperparts with black-centred feathers and buff freckling; white throat patch; pale supercilium; males show white primary spots and outer tail corners; underparts barred buff-brown; widespread South Asian species.

About These Birds

Andaman Nightjar

A medium-sized nightjar (24-26 cm) endemic to the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Dark brown plumage with rufous collar spots. Nocturnal insectivore of lowland and mangrove forests. A sedentary species with a restricted island range.

Indian Nightjar

A small nightjar (21-24 cm) widespread across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Sandy-grey plumage with a distinctive white throat patch and wing spots. Inhabits open scrub, farmland, and gardens. Nocturnal insectivore with a distinctive chuck-chuck-chuck call.

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