Standard-winged Nightjar vs Plain Nightjar

In short

The most reliable field mark to distinguish the Standard-winged Nightjar from the Plain Nightjar is the presence of elongated wing feathers in the male Standard-winged Nightjar during the breeding season. Both species have similar plumage tones, but their vocalizations differ.

Identification tips

• Look for elongated wing feathers in male Standard-winged Nightjars during the breeding season.
• Listen for differences in vocalizations if visual identification is challenging.

Plumage

Both species have similar cryptic plumage tones, making them difficult to distinguish by color alone.

Behaviour

Male Standard-winged Nightjars display elongated wing feathers during the breeding season, which is a unique behavior not seen in Plain Nightjars.

Voice

Their vocalizations differ, but specific details are needed to distinguish them by sound.