Band-tailed Nighthawk
Nyctiprogne leucopyga
Distinctive, locally common nighthawk of lowland rivers. Appears small and dark; in dim light, best distinguished from other nighthawks by swallowlike profile and longish tail. Also note the white band across tail and lack of white in wings. Usually found near water in forest and savanna regions, occasionally in large groups; does not tend to fly high. Dark plumage recalls Blackish Nightjar, but shape and behavior are very different.
Identification
The band-tailed nighthawk (Nyctiprogne leucopyga) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is widely spread throughout northern and central South America. Five subspecies are recognised. They are nocturnal birds that feed on flying insects. As with almost all nightjars, they lay their eggs directly on the ground and rely their camouflaged plumage to avoid predation.
Taxonomy
Genus: Nyctiprogne; Family: Caprimulgidae; Order: Caprimulgiformes.
- Scientific name
- Nyctiprogne leucopyga
- Authority
- (Spix, 1825)
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Nyctiprogne
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Terrestrial Brownbul
Phyllastrephus terrestris
A dull, dark brown, gregarious understory brownbul with dark red eyes and a whitish throat. Small groups of 4-6 individuals skulk in thickets and in lowland and montane forest up to 2100 meters. They hop and sneak through the undergrowth, flicking dead leaves and looking for insects and small vertebrates, giving a series of harsh nasal “ugk-ugk-ugk-ugk” chuckling notes that draw attention to themselves. The similar Northern Brownbul differs from the Terrestrial Brownbul by having warmer reddish tones on the tail and rump, and by lacking a white throat.
New Georgia Dwarf-Kingfisher
Ceyx collectoris
A small purplish-and-orange kingfisher with a bright waxy orange bill, ginger underparts, a white throat, and an orange-tinged white neck spot. Found in forest habitats, not necessarily near water, tolerating plantations and degraded forest. No other dwarf-kingfisher shares its range. Told from Common Kingfisher by smaller size, darker purplish upperside, and entirely red bill. Call apparently nearly identical to that of other Melanesian dwarf-kingfishers: a high-pitched, weak repetitive whistle, often given in flight.
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Medium-sized shorebird with bright yellow legs. Plumage is essentially identical to Greater Yellowlegs: gray upperparts with white speckling, streaky neck, and white belly. Proportions are most important for identification. Lesser is smaller overall with shorter, narrower, straighter bill, shorter neck, more rounded head, and smaller chest. Forages actively on mudflats and in shallow pools and marshes, often in loose mixed flocks with Greater Yellowlegs. Somewhat more likely to be found in smaller, marshier habitats than Greater, but much overlap. Listen for soft, whistled “tew” calls, typically only one or two notes, unlike the stronger series of notes from Greater.
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