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Difference between revisions of "Antillean Nighthawk" - BirdForum Opus

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==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 
'''Adult'''<br />
 
'''Adult'''<br />
−
*21.5 cm 50g
+
*21.5 cm (8 1/2in) 50g, (1 3/4oz)
 
*Small to medium sized
 
*Small to medium sized
 
*Generally well camouflaged plumage
 
*Generally well camouflaged plumage
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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).
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==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.<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>
−
 
+
Some authorities consider this species to be [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]],<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup> but others consider that there are 2 [[Dictionary_P-S#S|subspecies]]<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>
−
The Antillean Nighthawk was until recently thought to be the same species as Common nighthawk.<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>
+
====Subspecies====   
−
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>====   
 
 
*''C. g. vicinus'':
 
*''C. g. vicinus'':
 
:*Southern [[Florida]] and the [[Bahamas]]
 
:*Southern [[Florida]] and the [[Bahamas]]
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Wetlands
 
Wetlands
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
−
[[Dictionary_A-C#C|Crepuscular]], but will fly thoughout overcast days
+
[[Dictionary_A-C#C|Crepuscular]], but will fly throughout overcast days
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
 
They hawk for flying insects
 
They hawk for flying insects
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
−
The Bahamas and Florida races ''C.G. vicinus'' lay one egg on the ground. ''C.g.gundlachii'' in the [[Greater Antilles]] lay two.
+
The Bahamas and Florida races ''C.g.vicinus'' lay one egg on the ground. ''C.g.gundlachii'' in the [[Greater Antilles]] lay two.
 
Incubation (by the female) takes around 20 days and fledging another 20.
 
Incubation (by the female) takes around 20 days and fledging another 20.
  
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#{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}#Avibase
 
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}#Avibase
 
#Wikipedia
 
#Wikipedia
 +
#Guzy, M. J. (2020). Antillean Nighthawk (Chordeiles gundlachii), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Antillean Nighthawk - Chordeiles gundlachii - Birds of the World
 
#[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35731&highlight=nighthawk Birdforum thread] discussing the difference between Antillean and Common Nighthawk
 
#[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35731&highlight=nighthawk Birdforum thread] discussing the difference between Antillean and Common Nighthawk
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 +
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Chordeiles+gundlachii}}
 
{{GSearch|Chordeiles+gundlachii}}

Latest revision as of 09:22, 3 March 2022

Male
Photo by NIGHTJAR1
New Providence, Bahamas
Chordeiles gundlachii

Identification

Adult

  • 21.5 cm (8 1/2in) 50g, (1 3/4oz)
  • 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 Antillean Nighthawk was until recently, thought to be the same species as Common nighthawk.[2] Some authorities consider this species to be monotypic,[2] but others consider that there are 2 subspecies[1]

Subspecies

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

Habitat

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

Behaviour

Crepuscular, but will fly throughout overcast days

Diet

They hawk for flying insects

Breeding

The Bahamas and Florida races C.g.vicinus lay one egg on the ground. C.g.gundlachii in the Greater Antilles lay two. 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.)

Flight Pattern

The flight pattern is erratic, swift and light, with periods of gliding, where the wings are steeply inclined to the lateral axis.

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. Guzy, M. J. (2020). Antillean Nighthawk (Chordeiles gundlachii), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Antillean Nighthawk - Chordeiles gundlachii - Birds of the World
  5. Birdforum thread discussing the difference between Antillean and Common Nighthawk

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.

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