Puerto Rican Nightjar

Antrostomus noctitherus

A nocturnal species of dry mature woodlands with open understory and dense leaf litter. Hunts by “flycatching” from tree limbs and roosts on tree limbs, parallel to limb, and on ground. The similar Chuck-will’s-widow has a rustier tail without the white tail tip seen on Puerto Rican Nightjar. Nighthawk species have a white slash on outer wing, most easily seen in flight, that the Puerto Rican Nightjar lacks. Heard more often than seen, this species’ song is a repeated, burry “whip, whip, whip, whip…” or “weep, weep, weep, weep…”

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Antrostomus noctitherus
Authority
(Wetmore, 1919)
Order
Caprimulgiformes
Family
Caprimulgidae
Genus
Antrostomus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Black-browed Babbler

Black-browed Babbler

Malacocincla perspicillata

A brownish babbler, with strong bill and distinctive facial pattern. Upperparts, belly and crown are reddish brown, black "mask" with short and distinctive patch between bill and eyes, pale gray throat, and darker gray chest with very faint streaking. Endemic to primary and secondary forest on the limestone karst to the east of Meratus range in Borneo, previously only known from one specimen from the 19th century before being rediscovered in 2020. Found singly or pairs, not known to join mixed flocks. Creeps around in vines and undergrowth near cliffs, gleaning on leaves and exploring crevices for food. Vocalizations are loud, consisting of a repeated series of chattering notes up and down "chi-po-pyu", often in duet, the other individual responding "pyok pyok pyok" monotonously during the second half of the song.

Little Curlew

Little Curlew

Numenius minutus

Smallest of the Asian curlews, just larger than a snipe. Found in open fields, grasslands, and pastures and also on coastal mudflats during migration. Large eyes give this bird a gentle appearance. Paler and more warmly colored than other curlews, Little also lacks the pale rump of Eurasian and Far Eastern and lacks the strong facial stripes and longer bill of Whimbrel. Flight call a high-pitched, ringing “pipipi”, higher than Whimbrel’s.

Streak-backed Antshrike

Streak-backed Antshrike

Thamnophilus insignis

Medium-sized, dark gray bird of tepui highland forest and scrub. Male has blackish back and crown with extensive white spots and streaks on wings and tail; note also grizzled white patch on nape. Female is similar but shows rufous in crown. Found in humid forest understory on tepui slopes, generally above 1000 m. Usually in pairs that forage deliberately at lower and middle levels, hopping between perches and peering about slowly in search of insect prey, like other antshrikes. May join mixed-species flocks. Song is an accelerating series of barking notes ending with an emphasis on the higher-pitched final note, similar to song of Barred Antshrike. Extensive white markings should distinguish this species from other antshrikes, none of which occur at higher elevations in the tepui region.

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