Common pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis

Identification Tips:

• Very short bill
• Brownish upperparts with buff and black patterning
• Pale underparts with barring
• White patch at base of primaries visible in flight
• Long tail-male has white patches
• Nocturnal-often sits on roads
• United States ranged restricted to southern Texas

Similar species:

The white wing patches of the Common Pauraque are similar to the wing patches in nighthawks but note the longer tail, browner upperparts and different call. Other goatsuckers lack the white wing patches and have different calls.