Costa Rica Lesser or Common Nighthawk (1 Viewer)

J

Jim Lundberg

Well-known member

• Feb 14, 2011

• #1

Nighthawk in Guanacaste last week. What do I look for to ID?

Thank you, Jim

 

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Motmot

Eduardo Amengual

• Feb 14, 2011

• #2

I'd say is a Lesser. The wings tips seem to fall shorter than tail tip but it's hard to be sure as the bird in the 1st image (the clearer one on this tail vs wing tip) looks to be about to open its wings. Coverts design also looks better for Lesser to me. Difficult pair!

 

Birdingcraft

Well-known member

• Feb 14, 2011

• #3

It is a Lesser Nighthawk. In addition to the shorter wings and pattern on the wings pointed out by Motmot, notice the buff markings on the primaries.

Here is a good synopsis of features to separate the two.

 

tomjenner

Well-known member

• Feb 14, 2011

• #4

On male Commons the white primary spot is staggered on the closed wing, while it is more of a patch in Lessers. This is a female, but you can still see the buff-coloured primary spot which is shaped like that of a male Lesser. However, I don't know if this feature is valid for females as well as males.

Tom

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Feb 14, 2011

• #5

Where precisely was this? I had a largeish flock of what I id'ed as lesser fly over just after sunset at Rancho Curabande.

Niels

 

Motmot

Eduardo Amengual

• Feb 14, 2011

• #6

Birdingcraft said:

It is a Lesser Nighthawk. In addition to the shorter wings and pattern on the wings pointed out by Motmot, notice the buff markings on the primaries.

Here is a good synopsis of features to separate the two.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that useful link Pat :t:

 

J

Jim Lundberg

Well-known member

• Feb 15, 2011

• #7

All, thank you for the ID info.

Niels, the nighthawk was in trees alongside the beach near the Marriott Guanacaste.

Jim

 

Last edited: Feb 15, 2011

Birdingcraft

Well-known member

• Feb 15, 2011

• #8

Motmot said:

Thanks for that useful link Pat :t:

Click to expand...

De nada Eduardo!