Antrostomus badius
The Yucatan Nightjar (*Antrostomus badius*) is a medium-sized, cryptically plumaged nocturnal bird of the Caprimulgidae family, endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula. Measuring 21.5-23.5 cm (8.5-9.3 inches) in length, its plumage is a masterclass in camouflage, featuring intricate mottling of grays, browns, and blacks, perfectly blending with leaf litter and tree bark. A distinct buff or whitish throat band is a key field mark, often contrasting with a rufous nuchal collar. Males typically exhibit...
Primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical dry and moist forests, secondary growth, forest edges, and clearings, typically at low elevations up to 500 meters.
Feeds exclusively on nocturnal flying insects, including moths, beetles, and crickets, caught via aerial hawking from perches or the ground.
The Yucatan Nightjar is predominantly nocturnal and crepuscular, becoming active from dusk until dawn. During daylight hours, it roosts motionless on the forest floor, camouflaged perfectly amidst leaf litter, or perches lengthwise on a low branch, its cryptic plumage rendering it nearly invisibl...
The Yucatan Nightjar is a resident species, primarily distributed across the Yucatan Peninsula, encompassing southeastern Mexico (including the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán), northern Guatemala, and Belize. Its range extends from the lowlands of these regions, generally at elevat...
Least Concern
- The Yucatan Nightjar is a master of camouflage, with plumage so intricately mottled that it can vanish perfectly into leaf litter or tree bark. - Its scientific name, *badius*, is Latin for "bay" or "brownish," referring to its predominant plumage coloration. - Unlike many birds, nightjars ofte...