White-tailed Nightjar

Identification

The white-tailed nightjar is a small nightjar, measuring 20 to 22.5 cm in length, with males weighing 33 to 40 g and females slightly lighter at 32 to 38 g. Males of the nominate subspecies are distinctive: grayish-brown above with brown to blackish speckles and streaks, featuring a white or buffy supercilium and "moustache" marking. A broad tawny buff collar adorns the hindneck, while the wings display a striking white band visible on both spread and folded wings. The slightly forked tail is particularly diagnostic—all but the innermost feathers are partially to completely white. Underparts are white on chin and throat, with the breast buff and cinnamon-tinged, boldly spotted white, and belly and flanks pale and white-washed. Females are considerably darker overall, lacking white on wings and tail, with buffy throats and brownish, barred breasts.

Six recognized subspecies show subtle variations across the range. The species's call is unmistakable: a high, thin "pt-cheeeeeeeee," with the second note a long-drawn-out rising whistle that falls slightly at the end. Males sing from dusk well into the night during breeding season, with additional scratchy flight calls and thin "tic-tic" notes when flushed.

Range & Habitat

The white-tailed nightjar is found throughout the tropical regions of Central and South America, with its range extending from Costa Rica south through Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, across Venezuela and the Guianas, to northern Brazil, and throughout Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, and the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao). This wide distribution encompasses diverse tropical landscapes across multiple countries and island systems.

The species favors open landscapes including savanna, pastures, scrubby grasslands, and hillsides with scattered bushes and thickets. These open terrain preferences make them distinct from many forest-dwelling nightjar species and position them in habitats that provide good foraging opportunities over open ground.

Behaviour & Diet

The white-tailed nightjar is strictly nocturnal, foraging primarily by sallying from the ground or low perches, though it also hunts in flight just above open grasslands. Its diet consists of insects, though the specifics remain poorly documented. During daylight hours, the species roosts inconspicuously on the ground, relying on its cryptic plumage for concealment.

Breeding behavior includes dramatic wing-clapping displays performed by males. The clutch size is two eggs, laid directly on the ground without any nest structure. Only females incubate the eggs. Breeding seasons vary considerably across the species's range and have not been precisely defined, suggesting adaptive timing to local environmental conditions.

Best Time & Places to See It

The white-tailed nightjar's nocturnal habits demand patience and nighttime fieldwork. Listen for the distinctive "pt-cheeeeeeeee" call and the long rising whistle at dusk and into the night during breeding season, when males are most vocal. Open grasslands, savannas, and pastures with scattered thickets offer the best viewing opportunities, particularly in areas with minimal light pollution.

The species's large range across Central and South America means it is accessible across numerous countries and habitats, though specific seasonal breeding information is limited. Focus nighttime surveys on open terrain rather than dense forest, and remain alert for the characteristic thin flight calls and flushed "tic-tic" responses.

Photography Tips

Photographing white-tailed nightjars presents considerable challenges due to their nocturnal nature and ground-roosting behavior. Nighttime flash photography is necessary and should be approached carefully to minimize disturbance to roosting birds. The diagnostic white tail and white wing patches are key field marks to capture, along with the facial markings of males. Search for roosting birds during early morning or late evening hours when they are more active and less sensitive to disturbance.

Given their preference for open grasslands and low perches, approach birds slowly from a distance, as they may flush with scratchy "wheer" calls. The sexual dimorphism in plumage—particularly the white markings on males versus the darker, unmarked females—makes documentation of both sexes valuable. Position yourself downwind and move slowly to avoid sudden flushes, and be prepared with faster film speeds or high-ISO settings given the low-light conditions of nocturnal activity.