Common Poorwill

Male
Female

Spring, Summer

Size
7.75"
Listen
Plumage / Description

Male and female plumage similar. Rarely observed at rest, most easily observed in flight. Long broad wings, lacking white bar seen on Common Nighthawk. Small white corners on the edges of tail visible in flight. Overall plumage is a mottled, cryptic pattern. Well camouflaged for resting undetected during the day. Small, wide beak for catching insects in flight.

Habitat

Male and female plumage similar. Rarely observed at rest, most easily observed in flight. Long broad wings, lacking white bar seen on Common Nighthawk. Small white corners on the edges of tail visible in flight. Overall plumage is a mottled, cryptic pattern. Well camouflaged for resting undetected during the day. Small, wide beak for catching insects in flight.

Relative Abundance

Fairly common in appropriate habitat.

Behavior

Nocturnal. Active at dusk, at the same time of day when bats become active. Hunts using an 'aerial foraging' technique, catching insects in flight. Flight pattern and behavior is distinctive and is easily identified as being in the nightjar family. More commonly seen then heard.

Diet

Insects

Similar Species

Whip-poor-will.

Best Sites

Chino Valley, Poquito Valley, Lonesome Valley.