Short-tailed Nighthawk

Belongs to the Caprimulgidae family and is characterized by its medium-to-large size, with an overall body length ranging between 19 and 29 centimeters. It is distinguished in flight by its unique silhouette, resembling a large swift or bat due to its broad wings and remarkably short, square tail. The plumage is predominantly dark brown to blackish, heavily mottled and barred with buff, rufous, and grayish-white tones, providing superb camouflage against tree bark. A prominent diagnostic feature is a white or cream semi-collar on the lower throat, which contrasts sharply with the dark, finely barred breast. The lower belly is generally rufo-buff with thin, dark horizontal bars, and the underwing coverts are a dull rufous. Unlike other nighthawks, this species lacks conspicuous white patches on its primary flight feathers and tail, making its identification rely on its stocky silhouette and detailed plumage patterns.

Geographical distribution: Occurs widely throughout the Neotropics, ranging from southern Mexico (principally in Chiapas) and Central America (including Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) down through vast regions of South America. On the South American continent, it is found in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and throughout most of Brazil. Some southern populations are known to undergo seasonal migrations during the austral winter, moving northward toward warmer equatorial zones, although these movement patterns remain poorly documented.

Habitat: Inhabits primarily the canopy and edges of humid lowland forests, montane evergreen forests, tall secondary growth, forest clearings, and woodland margins adjacent to watercourses. It is typically found from sea level up to approximately 1,600 meters in elevation, though it may occasionally occur at higher altitudes in specific mountain ranges. It prefers mature, undisturbed forest tracts with tall emergent trees that provide suitable high, horizontal branches for roosting and nesting.

Feeding: Formulates its diet exclusively around aerial insects captured during flight. Its prey consists mainly of beetles (Coleoptera), true bugs (Hemiptera), moths (Lepidoptera), winged ants, and wasps (Hymenoptera). It employs a highly maneuverable aerial hunting technique, patrolling the forest canopy or open spaces along forest edges at dusk. With its exceptionally wide gape surrounded by sensitive rictal bristles, it scoops up flying insects detected visually in low-light conditions.

Behavior: Exhibits strictly crepuscular and nocturnal habits, becoming highly active during the brief periods of dusk and dawn. During the day, it roosts lengthwise on thick, moss- or lichen-covered horizontal branches in the mid-to-upper canopy, where its highly cryptic plumage makes it look like an extension of the branch. Its flight is fast, erratic, and silent, characterized by deep wingbeats interspersed with long, sweeping glides. Vocalizations consist of sharp, liquid calls, often described as a rising "tu-whit" or a sharp "quirt" emitted while flying or from high perches just before foraging begins.

Nesting: Exhibits a unique breeding strategy characterized by the complete absence of any physical nest structure on the ground. Instead, the female deposits a single egg, which is creamy-white with brown and gray blotches, directly onto a thick horizontal branch covered with moss or lichens, usually at heights ranging from 10 to 30 meters above the forest floor. Both parents participate in incubating the egg and rearing the chick, relying entirely on their cryptic coloration to remain undetected by arboreal predators. The chick is covered in highly cryptic down that mimics the surrounding lichens, remaining completely motionless on the branch until it is fully fledged.

Conservation status: Categorized globally as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although its geographic range is extensive and its population is currently considered stable, the species faces local threats from habitat fragmentation and deforestation. The clearing of mature forests and the removal of large emergent trees pose a direct threat to its specialized nesting sites and roosting requirements.