Spiny Babbler

Tiny owl known only from a small area in the eastern Andes of northern Peru. The long plumes around its eyes and bill are unique among owls. Other features include white eyebrows, a buffy face, and amber eyes. The first part of its scientific name appropriately translates into “strange owl,” and until 2002 this bird was almost unknown in life. Since then, several reserves have been established that provide access to the stunted cloud forest that it inhabits. Its easily overlooked song is a soft, burry whistle repeated every few seconds.

A small, common bird of forest and more open wooded areas from the foothills to the mountains. Has a yellow cheek and underparts, a black bib, cap, and wing, whitish blotches on the wing, and a black tail with a white tip and edge markings. The female is not as bright as the male. Unmistakable in range. Song consists of a medium-pitched whistle, followed by two high notes, repeated: “chuu chit-chit! chuu chit-chit! chuu.” Also gives nasal rasps typical of tits.

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…”