Brown Nightjar
Veles binotatus
A mottled reddish-brown forest nightjar with two distinctive white spots on either side of the throat. Perches on branches in the canopy and subcanopy, from which it can be seen hawking insects. Call is a repetitive “kwo” given from an above-ground perch or in flight. Does not usually respond to playback, and is sometimes imitated by drongos and parrots.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Veles binotatus
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1850)
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Veles
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Townsend's Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
Sleek songbird, a bit smaller than robin and much slimmer. Overall plain medium-gray with short bill, rather long tail, white eyering, and buff patches in wings. Note upright posture and white eyering. Found at higher elevations in the breeding season. Drops into lowlands in the winter. Loves juniper. Song is complex; call is a single, ringing, bell-like note.
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Polioptila plumbea
Tiny gray-and-white bird with long cocked tail and rather long slender bill. Fairly common in humid tropical forest canopy and edge. Extensive range across much of northern South America east of the Andes, to eastern Brazil. Often in pairs, traveling with mixed-species flocks. Male has a black cap, gray on female.
Straight-billed Hermit
Phaethornis bourcieri
Large, drab grayish hermit with a long straight bill. Lacks a strong face pattern. Also note elongated white central tail feathers. Occurs in lowlands across much of northern South America, typically below 700 m. Found within terra firme forest, staying low and quickly zipping around flower patches in the understory.
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