Choco Poorwill

Overview

The Chocó poorwill (Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi) is a species of nightjar found in the Pacific region of South America. It is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its population is believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss.

Identification

• Length 19.5 to 22.5 cm with dark brown plumage; head greyish with black spots and a large white patch on the throat.
• Wings brown to dark brown with tawny, cinnamon, and rufous spots and two prominent white spots in adults.
• Song described as a resonant, whistled rhythmic kwor kwor kwor kweeér, accompanied by frog-like notes such as kwok or kwi-kwok.

Habitat

Found on the Pacific slope from northern Colombia's Chocó Department south into Ecuador's Esmeraldas Province, possibly extending further south. It inhabits very humid evergreen forests at elevations from sea level to 900 m, favouring edges such as riverbanks and treefall openings.

Diet

The bird is crepuscular and nocturnal, foraging by making sallies from the ground or perches, as well as in continuous flight above the canopy. Its diet consists of insects, though specific details remain unstudied.

Did you know?

For a period, this species was treated as a subspecies of the ocellated poorwill, but genetic, plumage, and vocal differences confirmed its distinct identity. It is assumed to lay one or two eggs directly on the ground, similar to other members of its family.