Common Nighthawk vs Eurasian Nightjar

The Common Nighthawk and Eurasian Nightjar can be distinguished by their wing markings and tail patterns. The Common Nighthawk has a distinctive white bar across the primaries, visible in flight, while the Eurasian Nightjar male has white patches on the primaries and tail, which are absent in females. Both species have cryptic plumage, making them challenging to spot when perched.

Look for the white bar across the primaries of the Common Nighthawk in flight. For the Eurasian Nightjar, note the white patches on the primaries and tail in males. Both species rely on cryptic plumage for camouflage when perched.

Common Nighthawk features a white bar across the primaries, visible in flight. Eurasian Nightjar males have white patches on primaries and tail, absent in females. Both have cryptic plumage.