The rufous nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Region
Neotropics
Typical Environment
This species occupies a wide variety of semi-open to forested habitats, including dry and humid forests, forest edges, secondary growth, savanna mosaics, and plantations. It favors areas with broken canopy and open understory that allow for aerial foraging. It is commonly encountered along tracks, clearings, and woodland borders. In parts of its range it also uses scrublands and gallery forests near water. The species occurs from Costa Rica and Panama through northern and central South America to Argentina and Paraguay, and on several Caribbean islands such as Trinidad, Tobago, and Saint Lucia.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rufous nightjar is a nocturnal insect-eater with excellent camouflage that blends into leaf litter and bark. It often sings at dusk and dawn from low perches, delivering a clear, repetitive whistle. Like other nightjars, it nests directly on the ground without building a nest, relying on its cryptic plumage for protection. It is widespread across the Neotropics, including parts of Central and South America and several Caribbean islands.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
buoyant with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides; agile aerial hawking
Social Behavior
Usually encountered alone or in pairs during the breeding season. It roosts on the ground or low horizontal branches, relying on camouflage. The species lays its eggs directly on leaf litter, typically one or two, and both parents participate in incubation and chick care. Males sing from low perches at dusk to advertise territories.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, whistled note given in a steady, repetitive series, often delivered at dusk and through the night. Also gives soft churring calls and abrupt contact notes when agitated. The song carries well in open woodland and edge habitats.
Plumage
Overall warm rufous to cinnamon plumage densely mottled and barred with darker brown and blackish tones; finely streaked crown and back. Underparts are rufous with irregular barring; throat often paler with contrasting patch. Tail and wings show bold barring with lighter tips, especially in males. Feathers are soft and cryptic, aiding excellent camouflage on the ground.
Diet
Feeds mainly on flying insects such as moths, beetles, and other nocturnal arthropods. It hunts by sallying from low perches or the ground, using its wide gape to capture prey in flight. Occasional ground gleaning may occur when insects are flushed. Individuals are sometimes attracted to areas with artificial lights where insects congregate.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, tracks, clearings, and over open patches within woodland and scrub. Often hunts just above the ground or understory, using perches to launch short aerial sorties. Activity is concentrated in semi-open habitats that provide both cover and flight space.
