Donaldson Smith's Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk

Caprimulgus donaldsoni comparé à Chordeiles gundlachii

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Donaldson Smith's Nightjar Antillean Nighthawk
Nom scientifique Caprimulgus donaldsoni Chordeiles gundlachii
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 26,0 cm (10.2 in) 34,2 cm (13.5 in)
Poids 29,75 g (1.05 oz) 56,05 g (1.98 oz)
Régime alimentaire Nocturnal insect hawker feeding on moths, beetles, and flying crickets; hunts in buoyant coursing flight. Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk.
Taille de la couvée 2 1-2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

Donaldson Smith's Nightjar only

Aucun(e)

Antillean Nighthawk only

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Song & Call Comparison

Donaldson Smith's Nightjar

Chant

Soft, rapid churring; thin 'trrrr' at moderate pitch; small size produces lighter call; calls from dry African scrub at night; poorly known vocalizations

Antillean Nighthawk

Chant

Distinctive 'kill-and-dee-dick' or 'killydee'; buzzy nasal call audible overhead; faster and shorter phrasing than Common Nighthawk; Caribbean accent clear

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Geographic Range & Migration

Donaldson Smith's Nightjar

Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Gabon south to South Africa. Common in woodland, forest edge, and gardens. Produces distinctive churring calls.

Antillean Nighthawk

Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Donaldson Smith's Nightjar

Least Concern

Antillean Nighthawk

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How to Tell Them Apart

Donaldson Smith's Nightjar

Plumage

Small and compact; pale greyish-brown upperparts finely vermiculated blackish; narrow whitish supercilium; small white throat spot; underparts pale buff with faint barring; notably small size compared to African relatives.

Antillean Nighthawk

Plumage

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 …

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About These Birds

Donaldson Smith's Nightjar

A small nightjar (20-22 cm) of dry bush and semi-arid scrublands in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Pale grey-brown plumage. Nocturnal insectivore. Named after the American explorer Donaldson Smith. Poorly known in the wild.

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.

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