Pauraque - Nyctidromus albicollis
Nighthawks
The Pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis, is a nightjar. It breeds in the warmer parts of the New World from southern Texas to northern Argentina. It is the only bird in the genus Nyctidromus.
It is found in woodland habitats, preferably forest, but also scrub and cultivation. No nest is made; the two elongated and elliptical pinkish eggs are placed upon the bare ground or leaf litter. Most populations are resident, although the U.S. breeders (N. a. merrilli) may winter in eastern Mexico.
This medium-sized (22–28cm long) nightjar has two colour morphs, the plumage being variegated greyish-brown or rufous-brown. It is long-tailed and has broad rounded wings. The buff 'eyering' and 'facial stripe' contrast with the reddish sides of the face.
The adult male Pauraque has a white band near the wing tips, and the outer tail feathers are mainly white. The female's wing band is narrower and the white in the outer tail is more restricted. There are seven races of Pauraque, differing in size and greyness.
The Pauraque is nocturnal, like other nightjars, and starts to fly at dusk. Like its relatives, it feeds on insects caught in flight, usually by flycatching from a low perch, but also by foraging over open ground. This species has long legs with bare tarsi, and is more terrestrial than most nightjars. If disturbed, it will sometimes run rather than fly, and frequently rests on roads and tracks.
The male Pauraque's song is very variable, but includes a whistled weeeow wheeooo, soft puk puk and a whip given in the courtship flight as he flutters around the female. Her call is a rapid succession of whip sounds.
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