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Common Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollis ORDER: CAPRIMULGIFORMES FAMILY: CAPRIMULGIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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A widespread nightjar throughout the American tropics, the Common Paraque reaches the United States only in very southern Texas.

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At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
11–11.8 in
28–30 cm
Weight
1.9 oz
53 g
Other Names
  • Engoulevent pauraqué (French)
  • Chotacabras pauraque, Pucuyo, Tapacaminos, Picuyo (Spanish)

Cool Facts

  • Although the legs of a Common Pauraque are so small as to be nearly impossible to see under normal conditions, the pauraque can leap half a meter off the ground to catch low-flying insects, and has been observed running on the ground during foraging.

Habitat


Open Woodland
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Food


Insects
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Nesting

Nesting Facts
Egg Description
Buff with some spotting. Conspicuous.
Condition at Hatching
Downy, can move around.
Nest Description

No nest structure; eggs laid on ground or fallen leaves.

Nest Placement

Ground
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Behavior


Aerial Forager
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Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern

Common and widespread.

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Credits

  • Latta, S. C., and C. A .Howell. 1999. Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis). In The Birds of North America, No. 429 (A. Poole and F. Gill,eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
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Range Map Help

Common Pauraque Range Map
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