Ocellated Poorwill

Overview

The ocellated poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus) is a nocturnal nightjar found across parts of Central and South America. It is currently classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, although its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Length of 20 to 21 cm with a weight between 29 and 44 g.
• Two colour morphs exist: a brown morph with dark grayish brown plumage, blackish brown spots on the wings, and white belly spots resembling eyes, and a rufous morph that is paler and reddish brown.
• A bold white band encircles the throat, and the outer tail feathers have narrow white tips.
• The male song is a repetitive trilled 'preeeo' or 'prEEoo', accompanied by a soft, guttural 'wah, wah, wah' call.

Habitat

This species inhabits lowland forests with open understories and small clearings, as well as dense secondary forests, from sea level up to 1,350 m. Its distribution is disjunct, covering parts of Central America and two separate regions in South America including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Paraguay.

Diet

As a nocturnal bird, it forages by sallying from low perches. Its diet consists of insects of many kinds.

Did you know?

The bird takes its common name from the white spots on its belly, which somewhat resemble eyes. It lays its clutch of two eggs directly on the ground or in leaf litter without constructing a nest.