Antillean Nighthawk vs Common Poorwill

Chordeiles gundlachii comparé à Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Antillean Nighthawk Common Poorwill
Nom scientifique Chordeiles gundlachii Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Caprimulgidae Caprimulgidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 34,2 cm (13.5 in) 28,8 cm (11.3 in)
Poids 56,05 g (1.98 oz) 46,45 g (1.64 oz)
Régime alimentaire Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. Catches moths, beetles, and flying insects on short sallies near ground; only bird known to …
Taille de la couvée 1-2 2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Antillean Nighthawk only

Common Poorwill only

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Song & Call Comparison

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

Common Poorwill

Chant

Clear, whistled 'poor-WILL' with burry quality; sometimes 'poor-will-ip'; carries well across desert scrub; may call thousands of times in a night; males very persistent

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Geographic Range & Migration

Antillean Nighthawk

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

Common Poorwill

Resident of arid scrub, sagebrush, and chaparral in western North America from British Columbia south to central Mexico; only hibernating bird.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Antillean Nighthawk

Least Concern

Common Poorwill

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How to Tell Them Apart

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 …

Common Poorwill

Plumage

Grey-brown and buff mottled with dark vermiculations; white throat patch bordered by dark collar; pale buff and dark barred underparts; white tips on outer tail feathers; no white wing patches; …

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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.

Common Poorwill

A small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~46 g) of arid shrubland and rocky desert from southwestern Canada to central Mexico. The only bird known to enter true torpor for extended periods (weeks) as a winter survival strategy. Cryptic grey-brown plumage. Feeds on moths and beetles at night. Least Concern.

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