Andaman Nightjar vs Least Nighthawk
Caprimulgus andamanicus compared with Chordeiles pusillus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Nightjar | Least Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus andamanicus | Chordeiles pusillus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.4 cm (14.3 in) | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) |
| Weight | 66.06666666666666 g (2.33 oz) | 29.733333333333334 g (1.05 oz) |
| Diet | Night-hunting insectivore targeting moths, flying beetles, and winged ants in erratic low-altitude aerial passes. | Catches small flying insects in aerial pursuit over South American scrub and open areas; crepuscular. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1 |
| 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
Least Nighthawk
High-pitched, buzzy trill; thin 'pee-pee-pee' series; soft churring from ground; tiny size matched by high, reedy call quality; rarely loud
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.
Least Nighthawk
Resident of open savanna and cerrado in interior South America from Venezuela and the Guianas south to Bolivia and central Brazil.
Conservation Status
Andaman Nightjar
Least Nighthawk
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 …
Least Nighthawk
Smallest Chordeiles; brown and buff mottled above; pale buff underparts with dark barring; small white throat patch in male; narrow white wing bar; white or buff tail spots. Female has …
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.
Least Nighthawk
The smallest Chordeiles nighthawk (~30 g), family Caprimulgidae, inhabiting open cerrado, caatinga, and rocky savanna in eastern and central South America. Very small with brown and buff cryptic plumage; white tail band in males. Hunts small insects aerially at dusk. Least Concern in open lowland habitats.