Scrub Nightjar (Nyctidromus anthonyi)

Identification & Behavior: ~19 cm (7.4 in). The Scrub Nightjar (or Anthony’s Nightjar) has ornate upperparts consisting of black and buff scapulars and buff spots on the wing coverts.  The cheeks are rufous. The male and female have white wing bands across the primary flight feathers and white and dark tail feathers (entire length) noticeable when the bird is in flight.  It overlaps with the Band-winged Nightjar (decusatus) but is larger, and darker with a bold and patterned plumage. It also overlaps in part with the Common Pauraque but is distinguished by having a shorter tail and white throat.

Status: The Scrub Nightjar is overall uncommon but locally common in scrub and semi-deciduous forest in northwest Peru and the middle Marañon Valley. It generally ranges at elevations below 900 m along the foothill of the Andes. The Scrub Nightjar also occurs in Ec.

Name in Spanish: Chotacabras de Matorral.

Sub-species: Scrub Nightjar (Nyctidromus anthonyi), Chapman, 1923.

Meaning of Name: Nyctidromus: Gr. Nukti, nuktos= night and dromos= racer. anthonyi: In honor of Dr. Harold Elmer Anthony (1890-1970) US zoologist, collector, Associate.

See more of the Family Caprimulgidae