Common Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollis

eBird describes the Common Pauraque in this way:  Cryptically patterned nightbird; widespread and common in Central and South America, limited U.S. range. Found in shrubby woodlands. Patterned with gray, gold, and brown; note especially cinnamon cheeks and golden edges on back and wing feathers. In flight, note white outer tail feathers and white bar across the wings. Roosts on the ground during the day; actively hunts for insects at night. Song is a distinctive, rich, slightly buzzy “pur-WEEooo.” Relatively long tail compared with other similar nightbirds.  All About Birds adds this brief descriptive information about the Common Pauraque:  A widespread nightjar throughout the American tropics, the Common Pauraque reaches the United States only in very southern Texas.

I was fortunate to locate and photograph a Common Pauraque while visiting Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, Texas, on the morning of January 6, 2021.  This bird sleeps during the day and is so well camouflaged that he is difficult to see, even when you know exactly where the bird is located.  This is, by far, one of the most unusual birds I have seen — he almost looks like a frog!  For details of the trip that includes my meeting with a Common Pauraque, look here.