Common Pauraque vs Sickle-winged Nightjar

In short

The Common Pauraque is a large, long-tailed nightjar with a distinctive white band across its primaries, while the Sickle-winged Nightjar is smaller with sickle-shaped wings and prefers grassland habitats. Both species are crepuscular, but their vocalizations and habitat preferences can help in distinguishing them.

Identification tips

• Look for the white band across the primaries and long tail with white in the Common Pauraque.
• Note the sickle-shaped wings of the Sickle-winged Nightjar.
• Consider habitat: tropical lowlands for Pauraque, grasslands for Sickle-winged.
• Listen for the Pauraque's distinctive song.

Size

Common Pauraque is larger and more robust compared to the smaller Sickle-winged Nightjar.

Plumage

Common Pauraque has a complex pattern of browns, buffs, grays, and blacks with a white band on its primaries and substantial white in the tail. Sickle-winged Nightjar has less intricate plumage but features sickle-shaped wings.

Behaviour

Both species are crepuscular and terrestrial, but the Common Pauraque is more often seen foraging on the ground.

Habitat

Common Pauraque is found in tropical lowlands, while Sickle-winged Nightjar prefers grassland and marshy edges.

Voice

Common Pauraque has a distinctive 'hip-hip-hip-hip-hooray' song, while Sickle-winged Nightjar's vocalizations are less documented.