The Spot-tailed Nightjar is a slender, nocturnal bird characterized by its mottled brown plumage and a relatively short tail, often with subtle white spots. It is an adept aerial insectivore, catching prey in flight.
Where to spot
Inhabits open woodlands, clearings, savannas, and forest edges, frequently near water sources, across Central and South America.
How to spot
Scan open areas with a spotlight at night, looking for its eyeshine or silhouette against the sky. Listen for its soft, often repeated vocalizations, which are more easily detected than the bird itself.
When to spot
Active from dusk until dawn, with peak activity during the early evening and before sunrise.
Where to spot
Inhabits open woodlands, clearings, savannas, and forest edges, frequently near water sources, across Central and South America.
How to spot
Scan open areas with a spotlight at night, looking for its eyeshine or silhouette against the sky. Listen for its soft, often repeated vocalizations, which are more easily detected than the bird itself.
When to spot
Active from dusk until dawn, with peak activity during the early evening and before sunrise.
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Despite its somewhat plain appearance, its flight is remarkably agile, allowing it to snatch insects mid-air with precision.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Essential cookies are necessary for basic functionality, while analytical cookies help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it.
Cookie Preferences
Customize your privacy settings
Choose which cookies you want to allow. Necessary cookies are always enabled for the basic functionality of the website. You can always change your preferences later via the cookie settings in the footer.
Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled.
Analytics Cookies
Help us understand how visitors use our website, so we can improve it.