Mozambique Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus fossii compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mozambique Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus fossii | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.0 cm (12.2 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 61.7 g (2.18 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds nocturnally on flying insects, chiefly moths and beetles, by hawking low over arid scrub … | 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
Mozambique Nightjar only
Antillean Nighthawk only
Song & Call Comparison
Mozambique Nightjar
Loud churring trill; resonant 'charrr' from miombo woodland; calls from sandy ground at night; alarm a sharp 'churk'; one of southern Africa's most familiar nightjar calls
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
Mozambique Nightjar
Breeds in West Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia. Intra-African migrant; male has extraordinary elongated flag-like wing feathers.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Mozambique Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Mozambique Nightjar
Grey-brown upperparts with black streaks and pale buff freckling; white throat patch; underparts barred buff and dark brown; males show white outer tail corners; Southern African bird distinguished by greyer …
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
Mozambique Nightjar
A small nightjar (22-24 cm) widespread across southern and eastern Africa. Grey-brown plumage with bold white wing and tail spots. Found in varied habitats from woodland to gardens. Nocturnal insectivore with a sustained churring song. Partial intra-African migrant.
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.