Palau Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus phalaena compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Palau Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus phalaena | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.3 cm (12.7 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 91.5 g (3.23 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Catches flying insects in nocturnal aerial sallies over Palau island forest and scrub. | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Palau Nightjar
Churring call from Palau forest; repetitive hollow trill; endemic island species with poorly documented vocalizations; calls at night from dense vegetation
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
Palau Nightjar
Endemic to Palau (Micronesia, western Pacific Ocean); resident of forest and open woodland on the main Palauan islands.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Palau Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Palau Nightjar
Brown and rufous mottled above with dark vermiculations; pale buff throat patch; small pale wing spots; tail barred brown and buff without bold white markings; Palau endemic; relatively large and …
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
Palau Nightjar
A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~92 g) endemic to the Palau Islands in the western Pacific. Inhabits forest, secondary growth, and scrub on main islands. Cryptic brown-and-buff plumage. Nocturnal insectivore. Little studied; biology largely unknown beyond basic observations. Least Concern within its restricted oceanic island 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.