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Difference between revisions of "Antillean Nighthawk" - BirdForum Opus

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;Chordeiles gundlachii
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[[Image:Antillean_Nighthawk.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male<br />Photo by {{user|NIGHTJAR1|NIGHTJAR1}}<br />New Providence, [[Bahamas]]]]
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[[Image:Antillean_Nighthawk.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by NIGHTJAR1<br/>Male photographed in New Providence, Bahamas.]]
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;[[:Category:Chordeiles|Chordeiles]] gundlachii
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==Description==
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==Identification==
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The Antillean Nighthawk, Chordeiles gundlachii, is a nightjar.
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'''Adult'''<br />
 +
*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'''<br />
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*White throat, white wing bar stretching across the primary flight feathers, shows in flight
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*Tail has white [[Dictionary_P-S#S|subterminal]] band except central [[Dictionary_P-S#R|retrices]]
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*'''Adult Female'''<br />
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*Yellowish brown throat patch
 +
*Generally warmer plumage
 +
*Patch on wing smaller
 +
*Lacks subterminal band
 +
*'''Juvenile'''<br />
 +
*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.
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[[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==
 +
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.<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>
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====Subspecies==== 
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*''C. g. vicinus'':
 +
:*Southern [[Florida]] and the [[Bahamas]]
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*''C. g. gundlachii'':
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:*[[Cuba]], Isle of Pines, [[Jamaica]], [[Hispaniola]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Virgin Islands]]
  
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The adults are dark with brown, grey and white patterning on the upperparts and breast; the long wings are black and show a white bar in flight. The tail is dark with white barring; the underparts are white with black bars. The adult male has a white throat; the female has a light brown throat. 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. There are 2 color morphs, a gray and a rufous type.
 
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==Identification==
 
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The Antillean Nighthawk is very similar to the [[Common Nighthawk]]; see external links below for a discussion of the differences between the two.
 
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==Distribution and Taxonomy==
 
−
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. 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 nigthhawk. 
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
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Mainly belong in open country. They usually nest on bare ground, sometimes in raised locations including stumps or gravel roofs. They especially favor recently cleared areas in forests, airport fields, cane fields and pastures, but can also utilize gravel pits.
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Mainly belong in open country. Seashore with sparse vegetation and airfields.
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==Behavior==
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Wetlands
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They catch flying insects on the wing, mainly foraging near dawn and dusk (crepuscular) or sometimes at night with a full moon.
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==Behaviour==
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[[Dictionary_A-C#C|Crepuscular]], but will fly throughout overcast days
 +
====Diet====
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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.
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Incubation (by the female) takes around 20 days and fledging another 20.
  
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The two eggs are laid directly on bare ground--there is no nest. Incubation is performed largely by the female and lasts for about 20 days. Young fledge at about 20 days of age.
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====Vocalisation====
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==Voice==
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'''Call''': a short ''pik-adik'' usually heard overhead. (The [[Common Nighthawk]] makes a similar call, but it is not as consistent.)
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The call is a short pikadik usually heard overhead. The Common Nighthawk occasionally will make a similar call, but it is not as consistent
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====Flight Pattern====
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The flight pattern is erratic, swift and light, with periods of gliding, where the wings are steeply inclined to the lateral axis.
 +
 
 +
==References==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}#Avibase
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#Wikipedia
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#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
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#[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35731&highlight=nighthawk Birdforum thread] discussing the difference between Antillean and Common Nighthawk
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{{ref}}
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Chordeiles+gundlachii}}
 
{{GSearch|Chordeiles+gundlachii}}
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*[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35731&highlight=nighthawk This is a thread discussing the difference between Antillean and Common Nighthawk]
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[[Category:Birds]]
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Chordeiles]]
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{{GS-checked}}
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<br />
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<br />

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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