Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
(aka Common Pauraque)
Pauraque, Pirapora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, February 2002 - click for larger image Brazil

The Pauraque is one of the most common New World nightjars and is found from the south of the USA to the north of Argentina.

The song is one of the commonest night sounds in Brazil.

Male Pauraque, Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brazil, March 2004 - click for larger image It is normally found on the forest floor where its cryptic plumage fits in well with the colour of dead leaves. When it perches on a branch, it tends to perch length-wise which also helps its camouflage.

The male has a broad white band across the outermost primaries which is especially evident when flying. It also has white along the sides of the tail.

Female Pauraque, Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brazil, March 2004 - click for larger image The nest in the 4th photo was in a small clearing and the eggs were laid on the bare ground. The eggs are pinkish with buff blotches.

There are illustrations in HBW, Volume 5, Pages 306 and 342; Hilty & Brown, Plate XI; and Sick, Plate 18.

 Pauraque nest and eggs, Jeremoabo, Bahia, Brazil, March 2004 - click for larger image
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