Nightjars, poor-wills

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Caprimulgidae

77 species

HABITAT AND RANGE:

worldwide;

DESCRIPTION:

17-30 cm; bill small, weak, wide-gaped; long rictal bristles; large eyes; head large; legs short; toes, claws small; middle toe pectinate; some spp. go into torpor;

FOOD:

crepuscular and nocturnal aerial insectivores;

BREEDING:

usually 1-2 eggs in nest directly on ground; sexes similar or dissimilar; generally monogamous (?); biparental care

SOUNDS:

Rufous Nightjar Caprimulgus rufus calling

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RECENT LITERATURE:

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(Image taken from Peterson, Roger. Eastern Birds. Houghton Mifflin: Boston, 1980.)