Antillean Nighthawk vs Roraiman Nightjar
Chordeiles gundlachii compared with Setopagis whitelyi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antillean Nighthawk | Roraiman Nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chordeiles gundlachii | Setopagis whitelyi |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) | 31.1 cm (12.2 in) |
| Weight | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) | 40.75 g (1.44 oz) |
| Diet | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. | Nocturnal aerial insectivore; hawks insects over Tepui highland forest and savanna of Venezuela and Guyana. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| 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
Roraiman Nightjar
Churring phrases at moderate pace; rasping trill from tepui scrub and forest edges; slightly deeper than Little Nightjar; calls at dusk from rocky highland terrain
Geographic Range & Migration
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Roraiman Nightjar
Endemic to the Roraima highlands of Venezuela and adjacent northwestern Brazil (Gran Sabana and tepuis), above 1,000 m.
Conservation Status
Antillean Nighthawk
Roraiman 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 …
Roraiman Nightjar
Warm rufous-brown and dark brown mottled above; pale buff below with dark barring; white throat patch in male; white outer tail spots in male; buff throat in female; tepui highlands …
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.
Roraiman Nightjar
A small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~41 g) restricted to the tepui highlands of Venezuela, Guyana, and adjacent Brazil, typically above 1,000 m. Named for Mount Roraima. Cryptic brown-patterned plumage. Nocturnal aerial insectivore. Inhabits rocky scrub and forest edges at elevation. Least Concern in its remote tepui range.