Bonaparte's Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus concretus compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bonaparte's Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus concretus | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.8 cm (12.9 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 57.5 g (2.03 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Crepuscular and nocturnal insectivore; catches moths, beetles, and large flying insects on the wing in … | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Bonaparte's Nightjar
Churring call from Borneo lowland forest; repetitive hollow trill; rarely recorded; calls at night from dense humid forest; alarm a sharp bark 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
Bonaparte's Nightjar
Found in highland Borneo and Sumatra in montane forest at 1,000–2,500 m. Endemic to the Sundaic region; infrequently recorded.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Bonaparte's Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Bonaparte's Nightjar
Rich dark brown upperparts with black-centred feathers and buff-chestnut edging; white throat patch; densely barred underparts; males have white outer tail feathers; Bornean endemic with notably deep brown tones.
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
Bonaparte's Nightjar
A small, secretive nightjar (20-22 cm) of lowland and peat-swamp forests in Borneo and Sumatra. Dark brown plumage with fine barring. Nocturnal insectivore, poorly known due to dense forest habitat. Classified as Near Threatened due to ongoing deforestation.
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.