Andaman Nightjar vs Large-tailed Nightjar

Caprimulgus andamanicus compared with Caprimulgus macrurus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Nightjar Large-tailed Nightjar
Scientific Name Caprimulgus andamanicus Caprimulgus macrurus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 36.4 cm (14.3 in) 35.8 cm (14.1 in)
Weight 66.06666666666666 g (2.33 oz) 69.16666666666667 g (2.44 oz)
Diet Night-hunting insectivore targeting moths, flying beetles, and winged ants in erratic low-altitude aerial passes. Nocturnal feeder on flying insects including moths, beetles, and larger dipterans; hunts in low coursing …
Clutch Size 1-2 1-2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andaman Nightjar only

None

Large-tailed Nightjar only

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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

Large-tailed Nightjar

Song

Loud, resonant 'chuck-chuck-churr'; hollow knocking notes with long trill; one of Asia's commonest nightjars; calls persistently from forest edges; carries great distance

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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.

Large-tailed Nightjar

Found from India and Sri Lanka east to the Philippines and northern Australia. Resident in forest edge, secondary growth, and plantations.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Nightjar

Least Concern

Large-tailed Nightjar

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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 …

Large-tailed Nightjar

Plumage

Intricately patterned brown, black, and buff upperparts; pale supercilium contrasts with dark crown; white throat patch; males show conspicuous white outer tail feathers and white primary spots; long tail distinctive.

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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.

Large-tailed Nightjar

A large nightjar (25-33 cm) widespread from South and Southeast Asia to Australasia. Brown plumage with bold rufous collar patches. Crepuscular and nocturnal, feeding on insects in forest clearings and edges. Recognizable by its persistent, rhythmic tok-tok-tok call.

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