Ocellated Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus)

Identification & Behavior: ~22 cm (9 in). The male Ocellated Poorwill is overall gray with large black spots mostly on the back and smaller white spots on the sides. It has a white band across the throat that can be difficult to notice. It has large white spots on the underparts. The female is similar to the male but has a brownish plumage instead of gray.  The Ocellated Poorwill forages in interior forest and day-roosts mostly on the forest floor. When flushed it may perch on a branch where it is easier to observe. The Silky-tailed Nightjar also favors interior forest habitats but has a patterned plumage and very different vocalizations.

Status: The Ocellated Poorwill is uncommon in the Amazonian lowlands where it ranges to elevations of up to 1300 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Chotacabras Ocelado.

Sub-species: Ocellated Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus ocellatus), Tschudi, 1844.

Meaning of Name: Nyctiphrynus: Gr. Nukti, nuktos= night  and phrunē, phrunēs= toad.
ocellatus: L. ocellus= little eye. ocellatus ocellated= marked with eyelets.

See more of the Family Caprimulgidae