Antillean Nighthawk vs Malay Eared-nightjar
Chordeiles gundlachii compared with Lyncornis temminckii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antillean Nighthawk | Malay Eared-nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chordeiles gundlachii | Lyncornis temminckii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 41.0 cm (16.1 in) |
| Weight | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) | 95.0 g (3.35 oz) |
| Diet | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. | Nocturnal aerial insectivore; catches large moths and beetles in flight over SE Asian lowland forest. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Antillean Nighthawk only
None
Malay Eared-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
Malay Eared-nightjar
Loud, repeated 'tock-tock-tock' or 'bonk-bonk'; hollow, wooden quality; carries well through lowland forest; alarm a sharp 'chek'; call accelerates toward end
Geographic Range & Migration
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Malay Eared-nightjar
Resident of lowland forest, forest edge, and secondary growth in Brunei, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, up to 600 m.
Conservation Status
Antillean Nighthawk
Malay 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 …
Malay Eared-nightjar
Brown and buff mottled with black vermiculations; distinctive long narrow ear-tufts projecting from crown; buff-white throat patch; no white wing spots; tail broadly barred brown and buff. Sexes similar.
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.
Malay Eared-nightjar
A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~95 g) of forest edges, secondary growth, and plantation margins in Sundaland, including the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines. Distinguished by small, inconspicuous ear tufts. Nocturnal aerial insectivore. Rarely observed; calls heard at night. Least Concern.