Jungle Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus indicus compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Jungle Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus indicus | 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 | 84.0 g (2.96 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Nocturnal aerial insectivore; catches moths, beetles, and flying insects over South and SE Asian forest. | 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
Song & Call Comparison
Jungle Nightjar
Loud churring 'chuck-chuck-chuck-rrr'; repetitive with accelerating quality; calls from South Asian forest at dusk; hollow resonant tone; alarm a sharp 'chuck'
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
Jungle Nightjar
Breeds in eastern Asia (India, China, Korea, Japan) south to Southeast Asia; northern populations winter in tropical Southeast Asia.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Jungle Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Jungle Nightjar
Brown and grey mottled with dark vermiculations; white throat patch; white wing spots across primaries; white outer tail spots in male; buff throat and tail spots in female; pale supercilium …
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
Jungle Nightjar
A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~84 g) of forest and forest edges from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to Japan. Cryptically patterned grey-brown and buff. Calls with a 'chuck' note at dusk. Partially migratory; northern populations move south in winter. Feeds on large moths and beetles. Least Concern.
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.