Scissor-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis torquata)

Identification & Behavior: ~66 cm (26 in). (male) 27 cm (11 in). (female). The Scissor-tailed Nightjar has and intricate pattern of black, buff, and whitish spots and streaks on the wing coverts and back. It has rufous on the sides and back of the neck and a grayish throat bordered by a dusky malar streak. The breast and belly are barred.  The male has a very long and deeply forked tail, which is gray with white inner webbing.  The female has an all gray notched tail barred with dusky.  The male has white bands on the primary flight feathers which are thinner and rufous in the female. It favors open habitats. See, Ladder-tailed Nighthjar.

Status: The Scissor-tailed Nightjar is rare in scattered locations along the foothill of the Andes at elevations of up to 1700 m. It also occurs as an Austral migrant in Southeastern Peru. The Scissor-tailed Nightjar also occurs in Br and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Chotacabras de Cola Tijereta.

Sub-species: Scissor-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis torquata torquata), J. F. Gmelin, 1789.

Meaning of Name: Hydropsalis: Gr. Hudro, hudatos= water and psalidos= pair of scissors. torquata: L. torquatus= collared.

See more of the Family Caprimulgidae