Band-tailed Nighthawk

Nyctiprogne leucopyga

The Band-tailed Nighthawk is a medium-sized nocturnal bird found in South America. It has a distinctive band across its tail, which is a key identifying feature. This species is known for its graceful and agile flight, often seen hunting for insects at dusk and dawn. Band-tailed Nighthawks have a cryptic plumage that provides camouflage during the day, and their large eyes aid in low-light vision. They primarily inhabit open savannas, grasslands, and forest edges, where they roost on the ground or low perches. This species is known for its distinctive call, a repeated nasal 'peent' sound. Band-tailed Nighthawks are not currently considered at risk and are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Habitat: Open savannas, grasslands, and forest edges