Antillean Nighthawk vs Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
Chordeiles gundlachii compared with Lurocalis rufiventris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antillean Nighthawk | Rufous-bellied Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chordeiles gundlachii | Lurocalis rufiventris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 40.6 cm (16.0 in) |
| Weight | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) | 104.5 g (3.69 oz) |
| Diet | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. | Catches large flying insects in nocturnal aerial pursuit over Andean forest and forest edge. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
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
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
Deep, hollow 'wok-wok' series; resonant frog-like calls from Andean forest canopy; lower in pitch than Short-tailed Nighthawk; carries across mountain valleys
Geographic Range & Migration
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
Resident of Andean foothills and montane forest edge from Colombia and Venezuela south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia, at 500–2,000 m.
Conservation Status
Antillean Nighthawk
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
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 …
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
Dark sooty-brown above with buff and chestnut spotting; distinctive rufous-orange belly contrasting with dark breast; no white wing bar; short rounded tail; rufous tone on underparts unique among nighthawks.
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.
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
A medium Caprimulgidae nighthawk (~105 g) of montane forest edges and humid foothill zones from Colombia to Bolivia. Rufous underparts contrast with dark upperparts; a white throat patch is visible. Hawk-like flight above the forest at dusk and dawn. Seldom recorded; biology little known. Least Concern.