Nightjars

Order: CAPRIMULGIFORMES - Family: CAPRIMULGIDAE

96 Species currently existing - 21 in region

Nightjars, also known as nighthawks or goatsuckers, are medium-sized nocturnal birds belonging to the family Caprimulgidae. They are renowned for their cryptic plumage and distinctive nighttime calls. Nightjars exhibit several fascinating characteristics that set them apart from other bird species. In Colombia, various species of nightjars can be found throughout different regions of the country.

Appearance:
Nightjars typically have a compact and stocky build with long wings and a small bill surrounded by bristles. Their cryptic plumage, often in shades of gray, brown, and black, helps them blend seamlessly with their surroundings, providing excellent camouflage during rest and nesting.

Habitat: Nightjars inhabit a diverse range of ecosystems, including forests, savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands. In Colombia, they can be found in various habitats such as tropical rainforests, montane forests, and even near human settlements.

Behavior: Nightjars are crepuscular or nocturnal, being most active during dawn and dusk or at night. They have a unique feeding behavior, catching insects in flight using their wide mouths and excellent maneuverability. Their silent flight and cryptic plumage aid in hunting insects efficiently.

Breeding: Nightjars are known for their elaborate courtship displays, involving aerial acrobatics and vocalizations. They lay their eggs directly on the ground without building a nest, relying on their camouflage to protect the eggs and young from predators. The male often shares incubation duties with the female.

Conservation Status: The conservation status of individual nightjar species in Colombia may vary, with some species potentially being of concern due to declining populations and habitat degradation.

Nacunda Nighthawk

Chordeiles nacunda
Spanish name: Chotacabras Collarejo

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: Open habitats, grasslands, savannas, dry and semi-arid climates
Height: <600 m

Photo: © MikeLane45 iStock/Getty Images Plus

Least Nighthawk

Chordeiles pusillus
Spanish name: Chotacabras Enano

Size: 6.5 in | 16.5 cm
Habitat: Open woodlands and forest edges, semi-open habitats, open areas with shrubs
Height: <300 m

Photo: © Philip Monkey 17 iStock/Getty Images Plus

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor
Spanish name: Chotacabras Norteño

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, deserts, scrublands, and urban areas with open spaces
Height:

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Antillean Nighthawk

Chordeiles gundlachii
Spanish name: Chotacabras Antillano

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Open areas such as savannas, grasslands, coastal plains, and scrubland
Height: <100 m

Photo: © Satheesh Rajh Rajagopalan iStock/Getty Images Plus

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis
Spanish name: Chotacabras Chico

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Open, arid landscapes with sparse vegetation and adequate insect populations.
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Daniel Rojas iStock/Getty Images Plus

Sand-colored Nighthawk

Chordeiles rupestris
Spanish name: Chotacabras Pechiblanco

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Open sandy habitats with sparse vegetation.
Height: <400 m

Photo: © Gabriel De Jesus Utria Ortega iStock/Getty Images Plus

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus
Spanish name: Chotacabras Rabicorto

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests with dense vegetation,near water sources.
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Tom Johnson eBird S38668242 Macaulay Library ML 66431121

Rufous-bellied Nighthawk

Lurocalis rufiventris
Spanish name: Chotacabra Buchirrufo

Size: 9.5 in | 24 cm
Habitat: Diverse habitats ranging from forests to open savannas, typically near water sources.
Height: 1650 - 3000 m

Photo: © Justyn Stahl eBird S7137730 Macaulay Library ML 37485321

Band-tailed Nighthawk

Nyctiprogne leucopyga
Spanish name: Chotacabras Coliblanco

Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Forests, open woodlands, and montane regions, often in areas with diverse vegetation.
Height: <400 m

Photo: © Jay McGowan eBird S9350920 Macaulay Library ML 30325771

Blackish Nightjar

Nyctipolus nigrescens
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Negruzco

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, and scrublands with sparse vegetation.
Height: <900 m

Photo: © Myles McNally eBird S33972098 Macaulay Library ML 48425631

Greater Band-winged Nightjar

Systellura longirostris
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Andino

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, lowland and montane forests, and forest edges.
Height: 1600-3600 m

Photo: © Thelma Gátuzzô eBird S30602826 Macaulay Library ML 31011421

Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollis
Spanish name: Bujio

Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: open woodlands, montane forest, scrublands, savannas, grasslands, and forest edges.
Height: <2600 m

Photo: © Claudia Brasileiro eBird S47509707 Macaulay Library ML 108975721

Nyctidromus albicollis, Uropsalis segmentata, Guardacaminos Golondrina

Swallow-tailed Nightjar

Uropsalis segmentata
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Golondrina

Size: Male 26 in | 66 cm
Female 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, and clearings within forests and humid upper montane forests.
Height: 2200 - 3500 m

Photo: © Colin Dillingham eBird S49427919 Macaulay Library ML 121968511

Lyre-tailed Nightjar

Uropsalis lyra
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Lira

Size: Male 30 in | 76 cm
Female 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forests, subtropical forests, and humid forests at mid to high elevations.
Height: 800 - 2500 m

Photo: © phototrip iStock/Getty Images Plus

Todd's Nightjar

Setopagis heterura
Spanish name: Guardacaminos de Todd

Size: Male 11 in | 28 cm
Female 9.5 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Dry forest borders, savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands.
Height: <400 m

Ladder-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis climacocerca
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Rabilargo

Size: Male 11 in | 28 cm
Female 9.5 in |24 cm
Habitat: Open habitats such as grasslands, scrublands, savannas, and forest clearings near water source.
Height: <500 m

White-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis cayennensis
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Rastrojero

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, scrublands, forest edges, Andean foothills and marshes
Height: < 2,100 m

Spot-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis maculicaudus
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Rabimanchado

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Tropical rainforests, especially primary and secondary forests with a dense understory and a variety of tall trees.
Height: <1,200 m

Choco Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi
Spanish name: Guardacaminos del Chocó

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland and montane forests within the Chocó biogeographic region.
Height: 900 m

Ocellated Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus Ocellatus
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Ocelado

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, including both lowland and montane areas with dense vegetation and a variety of tree species.
Height: <500 m

Chuck-will's-widow

Antrostomus carolinensis
Spanish name: Guardacaminos de Carolina

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: pine forests, hardwood forests, scrublands, coastal dunes.
Scrub woodlands on San Andres y Providencia islands.
Height: <2600 m

Rufous Nightjar

Antrostomus rufus
Spanish name: Guardacaminos Colorado

Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, shrublands, open woodlands, and forest edges.
Height: <500 m