Jun 11

Bird of the day

Ocellated poorwill

Nyctiphrynus ocellatus

The ocellated poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Peru.

The ocellated poorwill is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long. Males weigh 35 to 43 g (1.2 to 1.5 oz) and females 29 to 44 g (1.0 to 1.6 oz). There are two color morphs, one brown and one rufous. The brown morph of the nominate is mostly dark grayish brown with blackish brown spots on the wings and white spots on the belly. The white spots somewhat resemble eyes, which gives the bird its name. It has a bold white band around the throat. The outer three or four tail feathers have narrow white tips. The rufous morph is paler and reddish brown instead of dark brown. N. o. lautus is smaller and the white tips on the tail are narrower. At least one author contends that its holotype is immature and that otherwise there are no color differences between the subspecies.

Aliases

Caprimulgus ocellatus

Range

Range map of Ocellated poorwill