Nubian Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus nubicus compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Nubian Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus nubicus | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 29.6 cm (11.7 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 54.8 g (1.93 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on flying insects at night, mainly moths and beetles, by coursing low over open … | 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
Nubian Nightjar
Rapid, churring trill; nasal 'churr-churr' at medium pace; calls from arid African scrub and rocky desert at night; alarm a sharp 'chek'; calls mostly near water
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
Nubian Nightjar
Found in a disjunct range across the Middle East and northeastern Africa including Israel, Egypt, Sudan, and Somalia. Resident in rocky desert.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Nubian Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Nubian Nightjar
Richly patterned rufous-buff and dark brown upperparts; prominent tawny-orange nuchal collar; white throat patch; males have white spots on primary tips; overall warmer tones than most African nightjars.
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
Nubian Nightjar
A small nightjar (20-22 cm) restricted to arid scrublands of the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula. Pale sandy-brown plumage with fine dark markings. Nocturnal insectivore, hawking insects low over the ground. Classified as Near Threatened due to limited range.
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.