Band-winged Nightjar (Systellura longirostris)

Identification & Behavior: ~22 cm (8.6 in). The Band-winged Nightjar is dark with an intricate pattern of vermiculation, spots, and streaks. It shows a complete or almost complete collar, which is mostly pale but rufous on the hind neck. The male has white webbings on roughly half of the outer tail feathers and white wing bands. The female has a similar tail and wing markings but these are brown and reduced. It favors open habitats interspersed with scrub. It overlaps with the Swallow-tailed Nightjar on the upper east slope of the Andes but is distinguished by white or brown on the outer tail feathers, white/brown wing bands, and a smaller size. Also, see the Tschudi’s Nightjar.

Status: The Band-winged Nightjar is uncommon on the west, inter Andean valleys, and east slopes of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1950-4400 m. It also occurs in Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Chotacabras de Ala Bandeada.

Sub-species: Band-winged Nightjar (Systellura longirostris atripunctata), Chapman, 1923. Andes of NC & S Peru, C & SW Bolivia, N Chile (S to Antofagasta).
(Systellura longirostris ruficervix), (P. L. Sclater, 1866) – N Colombia, S to Ecuador and NW Peru (Cajamarca). This form has been given species status by some: Rufous-naped Nightjar.

Meaning of Name: Systellura: Gr. Sustellō= to shorten and oura= tail. longirostris: L. longus= long and rostris, rostrum= billed, beak.

See more of the Family Caprimulgidae