Buff-collared Nightjar Identification

A typical nightjar with large eyes, a small bill surrounded by whiskerlike rictal bristles, and an intricate mix of gray, brown, black, and rufous markings. Note the buffy-cinnamon neck collar that connects with a thin white throat collar.

Spends the day roosting on the ground, typically under small bushes on hillsides, with the head pointed downslope.

This nightjar’s bold cinnamon collar is more prominent than in other similar species.

Adult male has extensive white in the outer three tail feathers (visible in one feather here), while female has limited buffy tips and no white in the tail.

Nonbreeding birds often perch on and make foraging flights from the ground.