Antillean Nighthawk vs Great Eared-nightjar
Chordeiles gundlachii compared with Lyncornis macrotis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antillean Nighthawk | Great Eared-nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chordeiles gundlachii | Lyncornis macrotis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 53.3 cm (21.0 in) |
| Weight | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) | 135.25 g (4.77 oz) |
| Diet | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. | Hawks large flying insects at night; one of the largest nightjars; forages over SE Asian … |
| 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
Great Eared-nightjar
Loud, far-carrying 'pee-WEERR' or 'yaak'; often repeated steadily; distinctive wailing whistle over forest; alarm a sharp 'creek'; one of Asia's largest nightjar calls
Geographic Range & Migration
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Great Eared-nightjar
Resident of forest edge, open woodland, and scrub across South and Southeast Asia from India and Sri Lanka east to the Philippines and Sulawesi.
Conservation Status
Antillean Nighthawk
Great Eared-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 …
Great Eared-nightjar
Largest nightjar; grey-brown and rufous with dark vermiculations; very long prominent ear-tufts; buff-orange throat; no white wing patches; boldly barred tail; rufous hues stronger than Malay congener.
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.
Great Eared-nightjar
The largest nightjar of the Asian region (~135 g), family Caprimulgidae, of forest and forest edge from Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to the Philippines. Distinctive erect ear tufts give an owl-like appearance. Wingspan ~53 cm. Hunts large moths and beetles at night. Calls with eerie wailing notes. Least Concern.