Antillean Nighthawk vs Little Nightjar
Chordeiles gundlachii compared with Setopagis parvula
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antillean Nighthawk | Little Nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chordeiles gundlachii | Setopagis parvula |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 26.6 cm (10.5 in) |
| Weight | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) | 35.75 g (1.26 oz) |
| Diet | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. | Catches small flying insects at night over South American open grassland and dry scrub. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| 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
Little Nightjar
Rapid, churring 'churr-churr-churr' repeated monotonously; moderate pitch; calls from open cerrado at night; alarm a sharp 'chek'; small size reflected in lighter tone
Geographic Range & Migration
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Little Nightjar
Resident of dry woodland, scrub, and cerrado from Venezuela and the Guianas south through Brazil to Bolivia and northern Argentina.
Conservation Status
Antillean Nighthawk
Little 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 …
Little Nightjar
Grey-brown and buff mottled with dark vermiculations; white throat patch in male; white outer tail spots in male; buff throat and tail spots in female; no white wing patches; pale …
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.
Little Nightjar
A small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~36 g) of open woodland, chaco, and savanna in Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and southern Brazil. Pale brown with fine buff vermiculations; white primary patches visible in flight. Calls with a rapid churring trill. Nocturnal insectivore. Common in dry-land habitats; Least Concern.