Little nightjar

The little nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

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Distribution

Region

South America

Typical Environment

Occurs from eastern Bolivia and Peru through much of Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay into northern Argentina. It favors open and semi-open habitats including savannas, Cerrado, Caatinga scrub, pastures, and forest edges. Often uses sandy or sparsely vegetated ground for roosting and nesting. It also adapts to human-modified landscapes, foraging along roads and near lights at night.

Altitude Range

0–1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size16–19 cm

Wing Span32–38 cm

Male Weight0.03 kg

Female Weight0.028 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This small nightjar relies heavily on camouflage, roosting on the ground or low branches where its mottled plumage blends with leaf litter. It lays eggs directly on the ground without building a nest. Males show white patches on the throat and tail used in display, and the species becomes most active at dusk and during the night.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and crepuscular

Flight Pattern

buoyant, moth-like flight with short glides and rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Generally solitary or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests are simple ground scrapes with one or two eggs laid directly on bare soil or leaf litter. Adults rely on stillness and camouflage to avoid detection and will perform distraction displays if threatened.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

At dusk and night it gives a soft, repetitive churring or trilled series, sometimes interspersed with dry chip notes. The song carries modestly and can sound insect-like from a distance.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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