Golden Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus eximius compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus eximius | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.4 cm (14.3 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 54.2 g (1.91 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Nocturnal moth hawker; also takes beetles and winged termites in erratic aerial pursuits above dry … | 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
Golden Nightjar
Churring trill; repetitive 'chrrrr' from Sahel sandy scrub; calls at night from open terrain; alarm a sharp bark; poorly recorded for such a distinctive species
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
Golden Nightjar
Found in the Sahel zone of West Africa from Mauritania and Senegal east to Niger and Chad. Resident in sandy semi-desert and open scrub.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Golden Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden Nightjar
Striking golden-ochre and black plumage; upperparts rich tawny-gold with bold black streaks; wings show large golden-buff spots on coverts; white throat and tail corners in males; uniquely warm coloration among …
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
Golden Nightjar
A striking nightjar (23 cm) with rich golden-buff plumage and bold tawny markings, unique among nightjars. Inhabits arid Sahel scrub and semi-desert zones across northern sub-Saharan Africa. Nocturnal insectivore, feeding on beetles and moths in low flight over open ground.
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.