Andaman Nightjar vs Sykes's Nightjar
Caprimulgus andamanicus compared with Caprimulgus mahrattensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Nightjar | Sykes's Nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus andamanicus | Caprimulgus mahrattensis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.4 cm (14.3 in) | 33.9 cm (13.3 in) |
| Weight | 66.06666666666666 g (2.33 oz) | 57.0 g (2.01 oz) |
| Diet | Night-hunting insectivore targeting moths, flying beetles, and winged ants in erratic low-altitude aerial passes. | Crepuscular and nocturnal insectivore; forages by sight for moths and large flying beetles above humid … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Nightjar
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
Sykes's Nightjar
Churring trill with hollow 'chuck' interspersed; 'chuck-churr' pattern; calls from Pakistani desert scrub at night; calls during moonlit nights from sandy ground
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.
Sykes's Nightjar
Found in Pakistan, northwestern India, and adjacent Iran and Afghanistan. Resident in dry scrub, rocky hillsides, and semi-desert plains.
Conservation Status
Andaman Nightjar
Sykes's Nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Nightjar
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 …
Sykes's Nightjar
Pale greyish-brown upperparts with intricate black-brown shaft streaks and pale buff freckling; whitish chin bar; underparts buff with sparse brown barring; resembles Egyptian but greyer overall.
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.
Sykes's Nightjar
A small, pale nightjar (23 cm) of arid and semi-arid regions from Iran through Pakistan to western India. Sandy-grey plumage blends with desert terrain. Nocturnal insectivore, feeding on moths and beetles while in buoyant flight. Resident and partial migrant.