Ladder-tailed Nightjar
Hydropsalis climacocerca
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<birdfyi-bird slug="hydropsalis-climacocerca"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~48 g) of rivers, oxbow lakes, and riverine forest edges throughout the Amazon Basin. Males possess white-banded, step-like outer tail feathers giving a ladder appearance. Roosts on branches and sandy banks near water. Feeds on insects at night. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 29.9 cm | 11.8 in |
| Weight | 48.0 g | 1.69 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Male brown and buff mottled above; white throat; graduated tail with white ladder pattern on inner webs of outer rectrices diagnostic; white wing patches. Female has buff throat; tail barred without white ladder.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident of sandy riverbanks, open woodland, and savanna in the Amazon basin from Colombia and Peru south to Bolivia and central Brazil.
Diet & Feeding
Nocturnal aerial insectivore; hawks insects over Amazonian river margins and forest clearings.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Resonant churring trill over Amazonian rivers; 'churr-churr' with hollow quality; calls from riverside sandbars and beaches at dusk; distinctive riverside habitat singer
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) |
| Genus | Hydropsalis |
| Species | Hydropsalis climacocerca |
Distribution
Ladder-tailed Nightjar has been recorded in 4 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Ladder-tailed Nightjar eat?
Where does the Ladder-tailed Nightjar live?
Is the Ladder-tailed Nightjar endangered?
How does the Ladder-tailed Nightjar nest?
What does the Ladder-tailed Nightjar sound like?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Caprimulgidae family