Rufous-cheeked Nightjar vs Square-tailed Nightjar

The Rufous-cheeked Nightjar and Square-tailed Nightjar can be challenging to distinguish, but the tail shape is a key difference: the Rufous-cheeked has a more rounded tail, while the Square-tailed has a distinctly square tail. Both species share similar habitats and behaviors, making structural differences crucial for identification.

Focus on the tail shape: Rufous-cheeked Nightjar has a rounded tail, whereas the Square-tailed Nightjar has a square tail. Use this structural difference as the primary identification feature in the field.

Both species inhabit similar environments, often overlapping in range, making habitat alone an unreliable distinguishing factor.