Common Pauraque

Status: Common Resident
Size: Medium-sized nightjar (26 - 30 cm)
IUCN Red-List Status: Least Concern
Stratum: Ground
Life Zone(s): North and South Pacific Lowlands and Premontane, Caribbean Lowlands and Premontane

TAXONOMIC TREE: Caprimulgiformes, Caprimulgidae, Nyctidromus albicollis

*@ Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo County, TX

The Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) is a cryptically patterned nightbird found in Central and South America. Its breeding range extends from southern Texas to the lower Paraná River region. Most populations are year-round residents, although U.S. breeders (N. a. merrilli) may winter in eastern Mexico. These pauraques inhabit shrubby woodlands and are characterized by gray, gold, and brown plumage, with distinctive cinnamon cheeks and golden edges on their back and wing feathers. In flight, they display white outer tail feathers and a white bar across the wings. During the day, they roost on the ground and actively hunt for insects at night. Their song is a rich, slightly buzzy “pur-WEEooo,” and they have a relatively long tail compared to other similar nightbirds.

Common Pauraque Distribution Map (from eBird)

PHOTO GALLERY

@ Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo County, TX

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*Some of this website's species' photos (all taken by me) may have been taken in other nearby countries.