Uropsalis lyra
The Lyre-tailed Nightjar (Uropsalis lyra) is a mesmerizing nocturnal bird renowned for the extraordinary tail feathers of the male, which can extend up to 60 cm (24 in), twice his body length, forming a spectacular lyre-like shape during flight. Males typically measure 70-80 cm (28-31 in) including the tail, while females are much shorter at 23-28 cm (9.1-11.0 in). Their cryptic plumage is a masterclass in camouflage, a mottled blend of brown, black, buff, and rufous, perfectly blending into ...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests and steep, forested ravines, typically at elevations between 1,200 and 2,800 meters (3,900 to 9,200 feet). They can also be found at forest edges or near cliffs.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of flying insects, primarily moths and beetles, which they capture on the wing using their wide gape.
Lyre-tailed Nightjars are strictly nocturnal and crepuscular, spending their days roosting cryptically on branches or on the ground, where their mottled plumage renders them almost invisible. They become active at dusk, sallying forth to hawk for insects in continuous, buoyant flight or from an e...
The Lyre-tailed Nightjar is a resident species found exclusively in the Andes Mountains of South America, spanning from Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru, into central Bolivia. Its distribution is generally continuous along the eastern and western slopes of the Andes. There are two recogniz...
Least Concern
- The male's tail streamers can grow up to 60 cm (24 inches) long, making it one of the longest tail-to-body ratios among all bird species. - The scientific name 'lyra' refers to the lyre-shaped appearance of the male's tail during flight. - Despite their impressive tails, male Lyre-tailed Nightj...