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Credit: Bernard Dupont

North American field guide

Common Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollis

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Identification

Field notes

28 cm (11") Common in southern Texas scrub brush of Rio Grand Valley.

Told from Common Nighthawk by its long rounded tail and shorter rounded wings.

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Videos

2 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Common Pauraque

2 rules
Rule 1 10 criteria confidence 3
Where was the white seen in flight ?
On the wings and underbody · Mainly on the wings · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?
Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?
In flight
What SIZE was the TAIL ?
Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?
Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Swallow-like · Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southwestern United States
result:363-common-pauraque:1:1 Source: 363 Common Pauraque, row 1
Rule 2 15 criteria confidence 3
What colour were the WINGS ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?
Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?
Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?
Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Songbird (ground or perching bird)
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southwestern United States