Short-tailed Nighthawk vs Common Pauraque

The Short-tailed Nighthawk and Common Pauraque are both nightjars, but they differ significantly in size and tail structure. The Short-tailed Nighthawk has a notably shorter tail, while the Common Pauraque is larger with a long, rounded tail featuring white in the rectrices.

1. Tail Length: Look for the shorter tail of the Short-tailed Nighthawk versus the long, rounded tail of the Common Pauraque. 2. Size: The Common Pauraque is noticeably larger. 3. Plumage Patterns: Note the intricate plumage of the Common Pauraque with white bands on the wings, unlike the more uniform dark plumage of the Short-tailed Nighthawk. 4. Behavior: Observe the Common Pauraque's terrestrial habits compared to the aerial hunting of the Short-tailed Nighthawk. 5. Vocalization: Listen for the Common Pauraque's distinctive call, which is not shared by the Short-tailed Nighthawk.

The Common Pauraque is larger and more robust compared to the more compact Short-tailed Nighthawk.

The Short-tailed Nighthawk has a more uniform dark plumage, whereas the Common Pauraque displays intricate patterns of browns, buffs, grays, and blacks, with a distinctive white band across the primaries.

The Common Pauraque is more terrestrial and often seen foraging on the ground, while the Short-tailed Nighthawk is more aerial, typically hunting insects in flight.

Both species inhabit tropical and subtropical regions, but the Common Pauraque is more adaptable to a variety of open and semi-open habitats, often near human settlements.

The Common Pauraque is known for its distinctive 'hip-hip-hooray' call, which is a quintessential sound of tropical lowlands. The Short-tailed Nighthawk's vocalizations are less well-documented but are generally less conspicuous.