Introduction
The Antillean Nighthawk (Chordeiles gundlachii) is a nocturnal and crepuscular nightjar of the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. It is an aerial insectivore that is often noticed at dusk, when it sweeps over open ground, beaches, scrub and towns in pursuit of flying insects. Its close resemblance to the Common Nighthawk makes its distinctive voice especially valuable for identification.
Physical Description
The Antillean Nighthawk is a medium-sized, long-winged bird measuring approximately 20–23 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 53–58 cm. It weighs roughly 65–90 g. Its plumage is mottled brown, grey, black and buff, providing effective camouflage when the bird rests on the ground or on flat, gravel-covered surfaces during daylight.
The wings are long, narrow and pointed, while the tail is long and notched. The sexes are broadly similar, although females generally have less extensive pale markings than males. The species is difficult to separate visually from the Common Nighthawk, and plumage variation can make identification uncertain without a good view or an accompanying call.
The broad, deeply cleft mouth is adapted for catching insects in flight. The large eyes are suited to low-light activity, and the pointed wings allow fast, agile flight with frequent swoops and changes of direction.
Range and Habitat
The Antillean Nighthawk breeds across much of the West Indies, including the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and parts of the Lesser Antilles. It also breeds in southern Florida, particularly the Florida Keys. It is primarily a summer breeding visitor in many parts of this range, generally arriving during spring and departing between late summer and autumn.
It favours open, warm and relatively undisturbed habitats, including dry scrub, savannas, pastures, coastal flats, salt pans, beaches, rocky ground and open areas around towns. In Puerto Rico, it has been recorded from flat open land, pasture, savanna, gravel beaches, rocky outcrops and coastal fringes. It may also forage over forest edges, agricultural land and other open landscapes where flying insects are plentiful.
The species nests directly on the ground, usually laying its eggs on bare soil, sand, gravel or rocky substrate. Other reported nesting sites include beaches, salt flats, bauxite mines and flat rooftops. Its non-breeding distribution remains poorly known, although tracking and observational evidence indicate that at least some birds migrate southwards towards northern South America.
Where to See This Species
Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico
The Antillean Nighthawk is recorded from the Cabo Rojo area, which contains dry coastal habitats, open ground, salt flats and scrub suitable for breeding and nocturnal foraging. The species is most likely to be detected from late spring through summer, especially around dusk and shortly after sunset. Watch from established roads and permitted public areas, and avoid disturbing potential ground nests.
Nearby accommodation: Cabo Rojo, Boquerón and the wider southwestern Puerto Rico coast offer hotels, guest houses, self-catering accommodation and campsites.
Virgin Islands National Park, St John, United States Virgin Islands
The species is included on the park’s bird list and occurs in the open coastal and dry scrub habitats found on St John. Summer evenings provide the best opportunity to hear or see birds hunting over clearings, beaches and low vegetation. Identification should be confirmed by the characteristic call where possible, because Common Nighthawks may also occur in the wider region.
Nearby accommodation: Cruz Bay and Coral Bay provide the main range of hotels, guest houses, villas, self-catering accommodation and campsites on St John.
Conception Island National Park, The Bahamas
Breeding Antillean Nighthawks have been documented in Conception Island National Park. The island’s open coastal areas, beaches and sparse vegetation provide suitable nesting and foraging habitat. Visits during the breeding season offer the best chance of observing aerial activity, although access is remote and should be arranged with appropriate local authorities or experienced operators.
Nearby accommodation: There is no permanent accommodation on Conception Island. Practical bases include Long Island settlements such as Clarence Town, where guest houses and small self-catering accommodation may be available, subject to transport and weather conditions.
Behaviour and Diet
The Antillean Nighthawk is most active around dusk and dawn, although it may also forage at night, particularly under suitable moonlight or where insects gather around artificial lighting. It hunts from the air, flying low over open ground or higher above treetops and coastal areas. Its flight is buoyant and erratic, with rapid wingbeats, glides, steep turns and sudden dives.
Its diet consists mainly of flying insects, including moths, beetles and other aerial invertebrates. Large feeding groups may gather over beaches, fields, towns and other open areas when insect numbers are high, particularly after rain or during warm, humid weather.
The female lays one or two eggs directly on the ground, without constructing a nest. Open sites with little vegetation, such as sand, gravel, salt flats and rocky ground, are typical nesting locations. Adults rely on camouflage and distraction behaviour to protect eggs and young from predators.
Males perform aerial displays during the breeding season and may produce mechanical wing sounds during dives. The species’ vocalisations vary geographically but are often rendered as a dry, nasal phrase such as “killy-ka-dick” or “querequequé”.
Identification Tips
- Look for a long-winged, pointed-winged bird flying rapidly and erratically over open ground at dusk.
- The upperparts are mottled brown, grey and buff, while pale wing and tail markings may be visible in good light.
- The species is often easier to identify by sound than by plumage.
- The Antillean Nighthawk is very similar to the Common Nighthawk. Their plumage can overlap considerably, so location, season, wing-mark details and especially voice should be considered together.
- A bird seen in the Caribbean during the breeding season, calling repeatedly over dry scrub, beaches, salt flats or open fields, is more likely to be an Antillean Nighthawk than a Common Nighthawk, but visual identification alone may remain uncertain.
Conservation Status
The Antillean Nighthawk is currently assessed as Least Concern. A precise global population estimate is not established, and the species’ non-breeding distribution remains incompletely understood.
Potential pressures include the loss and degradation of open coastal and dry-land habitats, disturbance or destruction of ground nests, intensive development of beaches and low-lying areas, and reductions in flying insect prey associated with pesticide use and broader environmental change. Artificial lighting may alter nocturnal insect activity and feeding behaviour, although its overall population effect is not well established.
Important conservation measures include protecting coastal scrub, salt flats, beaches and other open breeding habitats; preventing disturbance during the nesting season; retaining suitable undeveloped ground; and improving monitoring of migration, breeding success and non-breeding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Antillean Nighthawk live?
It breeds mainly in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, parts of the Lesser Antilles and southern Florida, including the Florida Keys.
Is the Antillean Nighthawk migratory?
Yes. It is a seasonal breeding bird across much of its range, arriving in spring and departing in late summer or autumn. Its non-breeding range is still poorly documented, but some birds appear to migrate towards northern South America.
What does the Antillean Nighthawk eat?
It feeds on flying insects, especially moths, beetles and other aerial invertebrates captured during fast, agile flight.
Where does it nest?
The female lays one or two eggs directly on the ground, usually on sand, gravel, bare soil, rocky ground, salt flats or other sparsely vegetated surfaces. Flat rooftops and other artificial open surfaces may also be used.
How can the Antillean Nighthawk be distinguished from the Common Nighthawk?
The two species are extremely similar in appearance. Voice is usually the most reliable field clue, supported by range, season and careful examination of the wing and tail markings.
When is the best time to see an Antillean Nighthawk?
The best opportunities are around dusk and dawn during the local breeding season, generally from spring through summer. Open coastal areas, dry scrub, savannas, beaches and fields are productive places to watch for aerial feeding activity.
References
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Puerto Rico Breeding Bird Atlas
- National Park Service
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