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Difference between revisions of "Antillean Nighthawk" - BirdForum Opus

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==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 
'''Adult'''<br />
 
'''Adult'''<br />
*Dark with brown, grey and white patterning on the upperparts and breast
+
*21.5 cm 50g
*Long black wings, (white wing bar shows in flight)
+
*Small to medium sized
*Tail: dark with white barring
+
*Generally well camouflaged plumage
 +
*Dark with black, brown, grey and off white patterning on the upperparts and breast
 +
*Long pointed black wings
 +
*Tail is dark with white barring, notched
 
*Underparts are white with black bars
 
*Underparts are white with black bars
*'''Adult male''' has a white throat; the female has a light brown throat
+
*There are 2 unconfirmed color morphs, a gray and a rufous type
There are 2 color morphs, a gray and a rufous type.
+
*Plumages have little seasonal variation
 +
*'''Adult Male'''<br />
 +
*White throat, white wing bar stretching across the primary flight feathers, shows in flight
 +
*Tail has white subterminal band except central [[Dictionary_P-S#R|retrices]]
 +
*'''Adult Female'''<br />
 +
*Yellowish brown throat patch
 +
*Generally warmer plumage
 +
*Patch on wing smaller
 +
*Lacks subterminal band
 +
*'''Juvenile'''<br />
 +
*Like female, but lacks throat patch
 +
 
 
====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
 
The most distinguishing characteristic to determine its identity from its closest relative the [[Common Nighthawk]] are the contrasting pale tertials near the back of the wings of a sitting bird. See references below for a discussion of the differences between the two.  
 
The most distinguishing characteristic to determine its identity from its closest relative the [[Common Nighthawk]] are the contrasting pale tertials near the back of the wings of a sitting bird. See references below for a discussion of the differences between the two.  
 
[[Image:13783Male Antillean Nighthaw in flight 2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Male<br />Photo by {{user|NIGHTJAR1|NIGHTJAR1}}<br />New providence, [[Bahamas]], June 2005]]
 
[[Image:13783Male Antillean Nighthaw in flight 2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Male<br />Photo by {{user|NIGHTJAR1|NIGHTJAR1}}<br />New providence, [[Bahamas]], June 2005]]
 +
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
 
Antillean Nighthawk is known from the [[Greater Antilles]], the [[Bahamas]] and Southern [[Florida]], especially the Keys and [[Tortuga]]. However, recently they have been demonstrated to breed in e.g., [[Guadeloupe]] of the [[Lesser Antilles]]. The Antillean Nighthawk migrates out of its breeding range after raising its young. It still remains unknown where the birds spend the winter ([[South America]] is assumed to be the place).
 
Antillean Nighthawk is known from the [[Greater Antilles]], the [[Bahamas]] and Southern [[Florida]], especially the Keys and [[Tortuga]]. However, recently they have been demonstrated to breed in e.g., [[Guadeloupe]] of the [[Lesser Antilles]]. The Antillean Nighthawk migrates out of its breeding range after raising its young. It still remains unknown where the birds spend the winter ([[South America]] is assumed to be the place).

Revision as of 11:41, 2 March 2022

Male
Photo by NIGHTJAR1
New Providence, Bahamas
Chordeiles gundlachii

Identification

Adult

  • 21.5 cm 50g
  • Small to medium sized
  • Generally well camouflaged plumage
  • Dark with black, brown, grey and off white patterning on the upperparts and breast
  • Long pointed black wings
  • Tail is dark with white barring, notched
  • Underparts are white with black bars
  • There are 2 unconfirmed color morphs, a gray and a rufous type
  • Plumages have little seasonal variation
  • Adult Male
  • White throat, white wing bar stretching across the primary flight feathers, shows in flight
  • Tail has white subterminal band except central retrices
  • Adult Female
  • Yellowish brown throat patch
  • Generally warmer plumage
  • Patch on wing smaller
  • Lacks subterminal band
  • Juvenile
  • Like female, but lacks throat patch

Similar Species

The most distinguishing characteristic to determine its identity from its closest relative the Common Nighthawk are the contrasting pale tertials near the back of the wings of a sitting bird. See references below for a discussion of the differences between the two.

Male
Photo by NIGHTJAR1
New providence, Bahamas, June 2005

Distribution

Antillean Nighthawk is known from the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas and Southern Florida, especially the Keys and Tortuga. However, recently they have been demonstrated to breed in e.g., Guadeloupe of the Lesser Antilles. The Antillean Nighthawk migrates out of its breeding range after raising its young. It still remains unknown where the birds spend the winter (South America is assumed to be the place).

Taxonomy

The birds in Florida and the Bahamas are supposed to be a different subspecies (vicinus) from the rest of the region

The Antillean Nighthawk was until recently thought to be the same species as Common nighthawk.[2]

Subspecies[1]

  • C. g. vicinus:
  • C. g. gundlachii:

Habitat

Mainly belong in open country. Seashore with sparse vegetation and airfields. Wetlands

Behaviour

Crepuscular

Diet

They hawk for flying insects

Breeding

They lay two eggs on the ground. Incubation (by the female) takes around 20 days and fledging another 20.

Vocalisation

Call: a short pik-adik usually heard overhead. (The Common Nighthawk makes a similar call, but it is not as consistent.)

References

  1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
  2. Avibase
  3. Wikipedia
  4. Birdforum thread discussing the difference between Antillean and Common Nighthawk

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.

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