Rufous-bellied Nighthawk (Lurocalis rufiventris)

Identification & Behavior: ~23 cm (9 in). The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk has dusky-brown upperparts with pale along the scapulars and wing coverts. It has a pale crescent on the throat. The underparts and underwing lining are rufous without barring. The wings are dark, long, and broad without white bands. The tail is short and square. It flies at dusk through the crowns of the canopy of humid montane forests. It day-roosts on horizontal limbs. The short tail, broad wings, and shallow wing beats make the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk look like a large bat.  It is very similar to the Short-tailed Nighthawk but is restricted to the humid forest on the east slope of the Andes. These nighthawks have no known overlap.

Status: The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is uncommon to rare in montane forests of the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1500-3450 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Chotacabras de Vientre Rufo.

Sub-species: Rufous-bellied Nighthawk (Lurocalis rufiventris Taczanowski), 1884.

Meaning of Name: Lurocalis: Gr. Oura= tail and kolos= stunted, short and truncated tail. rufiventris: L. rufus= ruddy, red, rufous and ventris, venter= belly.

See more of the Family Caprimulgidae   
(*) Birds shown in flight are Short-tailed Nighthawks, which are indistinguishable in flight from the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk.