Antillean Nighthawk

Chordeiles gundlachii

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.

识别特征

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 two color morphs, a gray and a rufous type. Like other nighthawks, this bird will display by flying upward with a distinctive call note, then diving, pulling out of the dive only a few feet from the ground. This creates a rush of air and distinctive sound.

分类信息

学名
Chordeiles gundlachii
命名信息
Lawrence, 1857
Caprimulgiformes
Caprimulgidae
Chordeiles

分布与栖息地

Their breeding habitat is open country of the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, the Bahamas, and the Florida Keys in the United States. 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. Little is known about migration habits, although there is some evidence of migration routes to North and Central South America.

迁徙
Complete migrants

保护状况

种群趋势
stable

照片

分布

鸟叫声

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