Common poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Identification Tips:
- Sexes similar (with minor differences in tail pattern)
- Very short bill
- Upperparts with gray and black patterning
- Underparts pale with diffuse dark mottling
- Dark throat bordered below with white patch
- Gray tail with darker barring and pale tips to outer tail
feathers
Similar species:
Separated from nighthawks by the lack of a pale
patch in the wing. Told from other nightjars by small size,
wingtips which reach the tip of the short tail at rest, and pale
gray coloration. All nightjars are easily identified by their
distinctive songs.