Buff-collared Nightjar Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBuff-collared Nightjar
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.
© Blair Dudeck / Macaulay LibraryOaxaca, February 25, 2020Spends the day roosting on the ground, typically under small bushes on hillsides, with the head pointed downslope.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryEl Progreso, March 29, 2019This nightjar’s bold cinnamon collar is more prominent than in other similar species.
© Bradley Hacker 🦜 / Macaulay LibraryOaxaca, December 19, 2018Adult 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.
© Andrew Core / Macaulay LibraryArizona, August 30, 2017Nonbreeding birds often perch on and make foraging flights from the ground.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryOaxaca, February 21, 2012Similar SpeciesCommon Poorwill
Common Poorwill is smaller than Buff-collared Nightjar, with a shorter tail and no buffy neck collar. Male Common Poorwill sings a repeated “poor-willip” song.
© Sharif Uddin / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 14, 2023Similar SpeciesMexican Whip-poor-will
Mexican Whip-poor-will is darker brown than Buff-collared Nightjar, with a less prominent buffy collar. Mexican Whip-poor-will sings a short, burry “whip-poor-will” repeated endlessly.
© Mauricio López / Macaulay LibraryNuevo León, August 19, 2018Similar SpeciesCommon Pauraque
Common Pauraque is longer-tailed than Buff-collared Nightjar and has a prominent wing band that is white in males and buffy in females. Male Common Pauraque also has much more extensive white in the tail (partially visible here) than male Buff-collared Nightjar. Note also Common Pauraque’s “per-weer” or “pur pur perp pur-wheeeer!” song.
© Claudia Brasileiro / Macaulay LibrarySão Paulo, May 10, 2014Similar SpeciesLesser Nighthawk
Lesser Nighthawk has longer wings than Buff-collared Nightjar, a prominent white throat collar, no buffy neck collar, and limited or no rictal bristles (“whiskers”) around the bill.
© John van Dort / Macaulay LibraryValle, May 27, 2013Similar SpeciesLesser Nighthawk
Lesser Nighthawk is much more likely to be seen during the daytime and/or in flight than Buff-collared Nightjar. In flight, Lesser Nighthawks have more pointed wings than nightjars, with a wing band that is white in males and buffy in females.
© Sharif Uddin / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 15, 2019Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Nightjars and Allies(Order: Caprimulgiformes, Family: Caprimulgidae)
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