Band-tailed Nighthawk (Nyctiprogne leucopyga)

Identification & Behavior:~18.5 cm (7.2 in). The Band-tailed Nighthawk is mostly dusky-brown with mottled scapulars. The belly is barred with gray and black. The barred tail has a white band roughly across the middle, which is readily visible when the tail is expanded. It forages with a typical nighthawk-like erratic flight generally close over the water of rivers and lakes. The Band-tailed Nighthawk appears to be associated with black water rivers and lakes in northern Peru. In flight, it resembles a Common Nighthawk but lacks the white wing bands.

Status: The Band-tailed Nighthawk is uncommon when present, but can also be absent in seemingly suitable habitat in northeast Amazonia, in Loreto. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Chotacabras de Cola Bandeada.

Sub-species: Band-tailed Nighthawk (Nyctiprogne leucopyga majuscula), Pinto and Camargo, 1952.

Meaning of Name: Nyctiprogne: Gr. Nukti= night, nocturnal and progne or procne=  swallow.
leucopyga: Gr. Leukos= white and pugos= rumped,  with a white rear.

See more of the Family Caprimulgidae