European Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk

Caprimulgus europaeus comparé à Chordeiles gundlachii

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut European Nightjar Antillean Nighthawk
Nom scientifique Caprimulgus europaeus Chordeiles gundlachii
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 36,6 cm (14.4 in) 34,2 cm (13.5 in)
Poids 75,83333333333333 g (2.67 oz) 56,05 g (1.98 oz)
Régime alimentaire Hawks moths, beetles, and flying insects at dusk and night over European heathland, forest edge, … Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk.
Taille de la couvée 1-2 1-2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

European Nightjar only

Antillean Nighthawk only

Aucun(e)

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Song & Call Comparison

European Nightjar

Chant

Long, mechanical churring trill; sustained 'errrrrr' switching pitch between two notes; unique ventriloquial quality; calls from heath at dusk; alarm a sharp 'coo-ic'

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

European Nightjar

Breeds across Europe and western Asia from Britain to Lake Baikal; long-distance migrant wintering in sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to East Africa.

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

European Nightjar

Least Concern

Antillean Nighthawk

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How to Tell Them Apart

European Nightjar

Plumage

Grey-brown and buff mottled with intricate dark vermiculations; male has white spots on outer primaries and white outer tail corners; plain grey head with pale supercilium; female lacks white wing …

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

European Nightjar

A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~76 g) breeding across Eurasia from Britain to central Siberia in open heath, scrub, and pine plantations. Males produce a sustained mechanical churring song at dusk. Long-distance migrant wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Feeds on moths and beetles. Least Concern despite local heathland declines.

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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