Rufous-cheeked Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk

Caprimulgus rufigena comparé à Chordeiles gundlachii

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Antillean Nighthawk
Nom scientifique Caprimulgus rufigena Chordeiles gundlachii
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 32,1 cm (12.6 in) 34,2 cm (13.5 in)
Poids 54,68333333333334 g (1.93 oz) 56,05 g (1.98 oz)
Régime alimentaire Nocturnal aerial insectivore; catches moths, crickets, and beetles in sustained low-altitude hunting flights. 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

Aucun(e)

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar only

Antillean Nighthawk only

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Song & Call Comparison

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar

Chant

Rapid churring trill interspersed with 'chook' notes; churring 'rrr-chook-rrr-chook' pattern; calls from southern African woodland at night; distinctive interrupted rhythm

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

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar

Breeds in southern Africa from Namibia to South Africa. Partially migratory, moving north in austral winter. Found in dry woodland and savanna.

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

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar

Least Concern

Antillean Nighthawk

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How to Tell Them Apart

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar

Plumage

Cryptic brown-grey upperparts with bold black streaks; distinctive warm rufous-cinnamon cheek patch; white throat patch; males show white outer tail corners absent in females.

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

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar

A slender nightjar (23-25 cm) with warm rufous cheek patches and grey-brown mottled plumage. Crepuscular and nocturnal, feeding on flying insects in dry savanna and semi-arid bushveld. Breeds across southern and eastern Africa. An intra-African migrant wintering in tropical regions.

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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