Slender-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus clarus
A slim nightjar with a slightly elongated central tail. Both sexes have a large pale mark in the outer wing and along the sides of the tail, white in males and buff in females. Found mainly in dry savanna, but also in other open habitats. Similar to Long-tailed Nightjar, but usually shorter-tailed, and plumage is grayer in the area where their ranges overlap. Call is a slow mechanical trill, lower-pitched than similar calls of other nightjars. Also gives a “pwit” call, often in flight.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus clarus
- Authority
- Reichenow, 1892
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellowish Pipit
Anthus chii
Rather dull buffy ground-dwelling bird with a large but disjunct range from Panama to Argentina. Streaky brown above and paler below with a streaked breast and plain belly. Note long pinkish legs and white outer tail feathers. Found in any flat open habitat including savannah, agricultural areas, and desert. Most often seen on the ground, occasionally perched up on a small shrub or fence. The only pipit in most of its range. Listen for the distinctive song, a few tick notes followed by a long descending buzzy “tzeeeeeeew,” often given in flight.
White-bellied Heron
Ardea insignis
Large, imperious stone-gray heron, very locally distributed and extremely rare. Note dark gray wings, pale throat patch, and white belly. Shows strong black-and-white contrast on the underwing when in flight. Inhabits waterside areas surrounded by mature broadleaf forests in foothill and mountainous areas; particularly favors pristine mountain rivers and streams. Declining due to habitat degradation.
Common Pauraque
Nyctidromus albicollis
Cryptically patterned nightbird; widespread and common in Central and South America, limited U.S. range. Found in shrubby woodlands. Patterned with gray, gold, and brown; note especially cinnamon cheeks and golden edges on back and wing feathers. In flight, note white outer tail feathers and white bar across the wings. Roosts on the ground during the day; actively hunts for insects at night. Song is a distinctive, rich, slightly buzzy "pur-WEEooo." Relatively long tail compared with other similar nightbirds.
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