Antillean Nighthawk Identification

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Antillean Nighthawk Photos and Videos

Male

A medium-sized nightbird with long, pointed wings, white wingbars, and a notched tail. Male has a white throat patch, white band across the tail, and a larger wingbar than female.

Male

On the ground, well-camouflaged with an intricate pattern of black, gray, and brown. Male has a bold white throat patch and a prominent white wingbar sometimes visible on a bird at rest.

Adult

A long-winged, tiny-billed nightbird, patterned in shades of black, gray, and brown. During the day, nighthawks rest on tree branches, posts, or on the ground.

Female

Female lacks male’s white throat patch and is generally warmer colored overall.

Male

Often roosts on tree limbs, usually with the body parallel to the limb. Also roosts on the ground, as well as on fence posts and power lines.

Adult and chick

Nests in open, rocky areas where chick and adult are well camouflaged.

Male

Often seen in flight at dusk and dawn, flying buoyantly and erratically in search of flying insects.

Habitat

Lays eggs directly on the ground, often in open areas with rocks or pebbles.

Flock

Sometimes seen in large numbers at dusk, with birds maneuvering agilely in pursuit of flying insects.

See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

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Common NighthawkAdult

Common NighthawkAdult male

Lesser Nighthawk

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Identification

Long-winged nightbird with intricate brown and gray patterning. Very similar to Common Nighthawk, best distinguished by voice. Gives a rapid series of hard, buzzy notes: "drik-rik-rik-rik." A Caribbean species; in the U.S., found only on the Florida Keys. Prefers open areas with mix of grass, bare ground, and shrubs. Nocturnal but can be seen hunting around dawn and dusk, searching for insects in flight.