The Yucatan poorwill is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in the Yucatán Peninsula of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Region
Yucatan Peninsula
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland dry and semi-deciduous forests, scrub, and thorn woodland across the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, northern Belize, and northern Guatemala. Frequently uses forest edges, clearings, second growth, and limestone karst with scattered trees. It avoids dense, closed-canopy rainforest and prefers sparsely vegetated or open understories. Roosts on the ground or low branches where its camouflage is most effective.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small, cryptic nightjar, the Yucatan poorwill relies on mottled plumage to disappear against leaf litter and limestone scrub. It hunts by sallying from the ground or low perches to snatch flying insects at dusk and during the night. Males often show white corners on the tail during display, a useful field clue. Eyeshine is strong under torchlight, aiding nocturnal detection.
Yucatan poorwill in Belize
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with buoyant, moth-like sallies
Social Behavior
Usually encountered alone or in pairs, most active at dusk and night. Nests directly on the ground on leaf litter without a constructed nest, typically laying two eggs. Both parents participate in incubation and chick care, relying on stillness and camouflage to avoid detection.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a soft, repetitive poor-will style call at dusk and during the night, often from a low perch or the ground. Notes are mellow and ventriloquial, carrying surprisingly far in quiet conditions.
Plumage
Cryptically mottled with brown, gray, rufous, and black, giving a bark-and-leaf litter effect; soft, loose-textured feathers typical of nightjars.
Diet
Primarily takes nocturnal flying insects such as moths, beetles, and orthopterans. It hawks prey on the wing using quick sallies from the ground or a low perch. It may also glean insects briefly from the ground or low foliage. Foraging relies on wide gape, rictal bristles, and silent flight.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, tracks, clearings, and sparse understory within dry and semi-deciduous woodlands. Often forages over open patches and along roads or trails where insects concentrate.
