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Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

Least Concern
Envergure
36,8 cm
Poids
54,625 g
Famille
Caprimulgidae
Ordre
Caprimulgiformes

À propos

A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~55 g) of open woodland, cerrado, and grassland in eastern and central South America. Males possess spectacularly long scissor-like outer tail feathers. Common around cattle pastures and agricultural land. Feeds on large moths and beetles at night. Least Concern across its broad range.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Envergure 36,8 cm 14.5 in
Poids 54,625 g 1.93 oz

Identification

Plumage

Male with enormously elongated outer tail feathers to 25 cm forming scissors in flight; brown and buff mottled body; white throat; white wing spots. Female brown mottled with normal tail length; strong dimorphism.

Habitat & Range

Répartition géographique

Resident of open savanna, cerrado, and scrub from Colombia and Venezuela south through Brazil to Bolivia and northern Argentina.

Diet & Feeding

Catches moths, beetles, and flying insects in aerial sallies at night over South American savanna.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: NO.

Taille de la couvée

2

Son

Chant

Loud, clear churring 'quurrr'; repetitive at moderate pitch; calls from open cerrado at dusk; males call persistently from prominent perches; alarm a sharp 'chek'

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordre Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts)
Famille Caprimulgidae (Nightjars)
Genus Hydropsalis
Espèces Hydropsalis torquata

Distribution

Scissor-tailed Nightjar has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Présent Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Scissor-tailed Nightjar eat?
Catches moths, beetles, and flying insects in aerial sallies at night over South American savanna.
Where does the Scissor-tailed Nightjar live?
Resident of open savanna, cerrado, and scrub from Colombia and Venezuela south through Brazil to Bolivia and northern Argentina.
Is the Scissor-tailed Nightjar endangered?
The Scissor-tailed Nightjar has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Scissor-tailed Nightjar nest?
Nest type: NO.
What does the Scissor-tailed Nightjar sound like?
Loud, clear churring 'quurrr'; repetitive at moderate pitch; calls from open cerrado at dusk; males call persistently from prominent perches; alarm a sharp 'chek'
How big is the Scissor-tailed Nightjar?
The Scissor-tailed Nightjar has a wingspan of 36.8 cm, weight of 54.625 g.
What order and family does the Scissor-tailed Nightjar belong to?
The Scissor-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis torquata) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Caprimulgidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Caprimulgidae family

Comparer

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