nightjar's tail

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Posted by Donna Blain (152.163.213.68) on December 26, 2000 at 16:55:29:

Greetings, birders!

I've read with interest the comments on the mystery nighthawk. I would like to add a comment that I have not noticed being discussed yet.

The Lesser Nighthawk is relatively longer-tailed than the other nighthawks, and this mystery bird's tail extends clearly beyond the primary tips. Referring to The Sibley Guide to compare these birds in the perched position, the Sibley Common Nighthawk's tail tip is clearly shorter than the primaries in the perched position. His Antilian's comes close to the tip of the tail, but considering that this mystery bird was photographed in California (and that the tail appears quite long), I'll stick my neck out here and vote for the Lesser Nighthawk.

I'd love to hear more comments from others on this to find whether Sibley's (amazing) book is representative of the tail lengths of most nighthawks. I am an easterner and have little chance to compare the western birds with ours.

Thanks to the comments of everyone, this has been a remarkable learning forum for me.

Donna Blain

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: Greetings, birders! : I've read with interest the comments on the mystery nighthawk. I would like to add a comment that I have not noticed being discussed yet. : The Lesser Nighthawk is relatively longer-tailed than the other nighthawks, and this mystery bird's tail extends clearly beyond the primary tips. Referring to The Sibley Guide to compare these birds in the perched position, the Sibley Common Nighthawk's tail tip is clearly shorter than the primaries in the perched position. His Antilian's comes close to the tip of the tail, but considering that this mystery bird was photographed in California (and that the tail appears quite long), I'll stick my neck out here and vote for the Lesser Nighthawk. : I'd love to hear more comments from others on this to find whether Sibley's (amazing) book is representative of the tail lengths of most nighthawks. I am an easterner and have little chance to compare the western birds with ours. : Thanks to the comments of everyone, this has been a remarkable learning forum for me. : Donna Blain

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