Antillean Nighthawk vs White-throated Nightjar
Chordeiles gundlachii compared with Eurostopodus mystacalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antillean Nighthawk | White-throated Nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chordeiles gundlachii | Eurostopodus mystacalis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 50.4 cm (19.8 in) |
| Weight | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) | 138.25 g (4.88 oz) |
| Diet | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. | Catches large flying insects, especially moths and beetles, in aerial sallies over Australian and Pacific … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Antillean Nighthawk only
None
White-throated Nightjar only
Song & Call Comparison
Antillean Nighthawk
Distinctive 'kill-and-dee-dick' or 'killydee'; buzzy nasal call audible overhead; faster and shorter phrasing than Common Nighthawk; Caribbean accent clear
White-throated Nightjar
Resonant, churring song; rapid 'good-lord-deliver-us' or 'chaw-chaw-chaw'; low, bubbling trill carrying through rainforest; softer than related species
Geographic Range & Migration
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
White-throated Nightjar
Resident of open woodland and scrub in eastern and northern Australia; also found on offshore islands and in southern New Guinea.
Conservation Status
Antillean Nighthawk
White-throated Nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
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 …
White-throated Nightjar
Grey-brown with rufous and black mottling; large bold white throat patch distinctive; no white wing spots or tail markings; well-camouflaged on bark. Male and female similar; one of the larger …
About These Birds
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.
White-throated Nightjar
A large Caprimulgidae nightjar (~138 g) of open forest and woodland in eastern Australia and coastal New Guinea. A white throat patch contrasts with cryptic brown-patterned plumage. Roosts on the ground or along branches by day; hunts moths and large beetles at night. Partially migratory in southeast Australia. Least Concern.