Antrostomus ridgwayi
The Buff-collared Nightjar (Antrostomus ridgwayi) is a nocturnal insectivorous bird of the family Caprimulgidae, known for its cryptic camouflage and distinctive vocalizations. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm (8-9 inches) in length with a wingspan of 40-46 cm (16-18 inches) and weighing around 40-50 grams, its mottled plumage of browns, grays, black, and rufous perfectly blends with leaf litter and rocky substrates. A prominent buff-colored collar across the hindneck gives the species its co...
Found in arid and semi-arid regions, the Buff-collared Nightjar prefers open woodlands, mesquite thickets, thorn scrub, and riparian areas, often with rocky or sandy substrates. It typically occurs at elevations from sea level up to approximately 1,800 meters (6,000 feet).
The Buff-collared Nightjar is an insectivore, primarily feeding on large flying insects such as moths, beetles, and grasshoppers, captured in flight through aerial hawking.
Strictly nocturnal and crepuscular, the Buff-collared Nightjar spends its days motionless, perfectly camouflaged on the ground or perched parallel to a low branch. It primarily forages through aerial hawking, launching from a low perch to snatch moths, beetles, and other flying insects in mid-air...
The Buff-collared Nightjar has a broad distribution across southwestern North America and into Central America. Its primary breeding range extends from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, sporadically into southern Texas, southward through much of Mexico. Within Mexico, it breeds th...
Least Concern
- The Buff-collared Nightjar's name honors Robert Ridgway, a prominent American ornithologist known for his extensive work on North American birds. - Its mottled plumage provides such exceptional camouflage that it can be nearly impossible to spot even when you know exactly where it is roosting. ...