Scissor-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis torquata

The Scissor-tailed Nightjar is a nocturnal bird found in South America. It is known for its distinctive scissor-shaped tail feathers, which are used during courtship displays and in flight. This species is primarily insectivorous, feeding on flying insects captured in mid-air using its wide gape and bristles around the mouth. The Scissor-tailed Nightjar is well-camouflaged, with mottled brown and gray plumage that provides effective concealment during the day. It is often found in open savannas, grasslands, and forest edges, where it roosts on the ground or low perches. This species is not currently considered threatened, but habitat loss and degradation may pose future conservation challenges.

Habitat: Open savannas, grasslands, and forest edges