Todd's Nightjar
Setopagis heterura
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About
A small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~37 g) of open woodland and savanna in Trinidad and the Llanos of Venezuela and Colombia. Cryptically patterned brown-and-buff; white throat mark visible. Nocturnal; calls persistently at night. Feeds on flying insects. Similar to Spot-tailed but distinguished by call and range. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 27.8 cm | 10.9 in |
| Weight | 36.5 g | 1.29 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Brown and grey mottled with dark vermiculations; white throat patch in male; white spots on outer tail feathers in male; buff on throat and tail in female; no white wing bar. Closely related to Little Nightjar.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident of open woodland and savanna in Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, and the Guianas; also found in adjacent northern Brazil.
Diet & Feeding
Aerial insectivore; catches moths and beetles in nocturnal flight over South American savanna and scrub.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Rapid churring trill; nasal 'trrr-trrr' phrases repeated at dusk; calls from savanna and open woodland; poorly documented; higher-pitched than most Setopagis
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) |
| Genus | Setopagis |
| Species | Setopagis heterura |
Distribution
Todd's Nightjar has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Todd's Nightjar eat?
Where does the Todd's Nightjar live?
Is the Todd's Nightjar endangered?
How does the Todd's Nightjar nest?
What does the Todd's Nightjar sound like?
How big is the Todd's Nightjar?
What order and family does the Todd's Nightjar belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Caprimulgidae family