The Jamaican poorwill, also known as the Jamaican pauraque or Jamaican least pauraque, is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to Jamaica and has not been recorded since 1860.
Region
Caribbean
Typical Environment
Historically recorded from Jamaica, where it occupied dry to semi-evergreen woodlands, scrubby thickets, and forest edges on limestone substrates. It likely roosted on the ground or low branches by day, relying on cryptic plumage to avoid detection. Foraging would have occurred in open patches and along trails or clearings where flying insects are abundant. Remaining suitable habitat is fragmented and has been reduced by deforestation and development.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Jamaican poorwill (also called Jamaican pauraque or Jamaican least pauraque) is a nocturnal nightjar known only from Jamaica and has not been reliably recorded since 1860. It is considered Critically Endangered and possibly extinct, with habitat loss and introduced predators likely contributors to its decline. Like other nightjars, it relies on exceptional leaf-litter camouflage and ground-roosting behavior. Its common name echoes the soft, repetitive call attributed to the species.
An illustration of a specimen, from 1725 (top left)
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
buoyant, low over the ground with short glides and quick wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside the breeding season, with pairs forming during breeding. Nests were almost certainly a simple scrape on the ground among leaf litter, typical of nightjars. Clutch size likely one to two eggs, with both parents sharing incubation and chick care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Reported as a soft, repetitive poor-will or pura-wek style call given at night. Vocalizations likely carried over short distances, used for territory advertisement and mate attraction.
