Short-tailed Nighthawk

The Short-tailed Nighthawk, a rather large member of the nightjar family, is distinguished by its notably short tail. It measures between 19 to 21 cm in length, with a dark brown to blackish plumage adorned with rufous and buff spots and speckles. This bird's wings are similarly dark with muted spots, lacking the bold white markings typical of many nighthawks. Its tail features brown with tawny or grayish bars and a subtle buffy or whitish band at the end.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Short-tailed Nighthawk, look for its dark upperparts with intricate patterns of spots and speckles. The white throat contrasts with the dark chin, while the lower breast is buff with brown bars, transitioning to a tawny buff belly and flanks. The absence of prominent white wing patches is a key distinguishing feature.

Habitat

This species thrives in lowland evergreen forests but is also known to inhabit more open areas such as clearings, river edges, old cacao plantations, and secondary forests that have begun to regrow.

Distribution

The Short-tailed Nighthawk has a broad range across Central and northern South America, from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is absent from El Salvador, Chile, and Uruguay.

Behaviour

These birds are typically solitary or found in pairs, occasionally forming small flocks. They exhibit a rapid and erratic flight pattern reminiscent of bats and roost in trees, aligning themselves along thick branches.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Short-tailed Nighthawk vary among subspecies. Descriptions range from a repeated "ewIT" to a sharp "g'wik" or "gweek," emitted both while perched and in flight.

Breeding

Unique among their family, Short-tailed Nighthawks nest in trees, laying a single egg directly on a large horizontal branch without constructing a traditional nest.

Similar Species

The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk was once considered a subspecies but is now recognized as a separate species. It shares the genus Lurocalis with the Short-tailed Nighthawk.

Diet and Feeding

As aerial insectivores, Short-tailed Nighthawks feed primarily on beetles and true bugs, foraging mostly at dusk. Their diet, however, has not been extensively studied.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Short-tailed Nighthawk as Least Concern, with a large range and population. Although the population is believed to be decreasing, the species faces no significant threats beyond localized deforestation.