Madagascar Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus madagascariensis compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Madagascar Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus madagascariensis | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 30.4 cm (12.0 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 42.333333333333336 g (1.49 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Crepuscular and nocturnal moth specialist; supplements diet with beetles and flying termites over open woodland. | 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
Madagascar Nightjar
Churring call from Madagascar scrub; rhythmic 'trrr-trrr' at moderate tempo; endemic; calls at dusk and dawn from open woodland and hedgerows; alarm a sharp click
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
Madagascar Nightjar
Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Resident in swampy grassland and wetland margins.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Madagascar Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Madagascar Nightjar
Brown upperparts intricately patterned with black streaks and pale tawny freckles; buff-white throat band; underparts finely barred buff and dark brown; island endemic with slightly warmer coloration than continental African …
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
Madagascar Nightjar
A medium-sized nightjar (23-25 cm) endemic to Madagascar. Brown plumage with cryptic patterning for camouflage on the forest floor. Found in a variety of habitats from dry deciduous to humid rainforest. Nocturnal insectivore, feeding on moths and beetles in forest openings.
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.