Sand-colored Nighthawk (Chordeiles rupestris)

Identification & Behavior: ~21 cm (8.2 in). The Sand-colored Nighthawk has gray-brownish upperparts and breast. The rest of the underparts are white. Most or the flight feathers are white fringed with gray. The first four pairs of primary flight feathers are solid gray. The tail is white with a broad gray terminal band. The Sand-colored Nighthawk superficially resembles a Nacunda Nighthawk but is distinguished by much smaller size, white wings and tail, and by being largely restricted to roost and forage above water in Amazonian rivers. Birds day roost on logs and branches stuck on river beds and often fly and forage during the day.  Also, see Common Nighthawk.

Status: The Sand-colored Nighthawk is common to fairly common along Amazonian rivers. It is known to range to elevations of up to 600 m along the foothill of the Andes. The Sand-colored Nighthawk also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Chotacabras Arenisco.

Sub-species: Sand-colored Nighthawk (Chordeiles rupestris), Spix, 1825.

Meaning of Name: Chordeiles: Gr. Khōreo= to travel and deilē= implies in the evening. rupestris: L. rupes, rupis= rock, rupestris= rock-dwelling.

See more of the Family Caprimulgidae