Common Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollis

chotocabras pauraque

Voice: Mournful “poo-WHEEEER,” often proceeded with a building “po-po-po-po-poo-WHEEEER.”

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Status: Common resident in the Valley where dense woodlands are found. Roosts by day on forest floor, and is especially fond of dense thickets with extensive leaf litter. Best found along woodland edges at dusk.

Habitat: Dense woodlands and brushy thickets.

Best Spots: Best found at dusk at Bentsen SP along the park road. Also found at most Valley refuges, including the entrance road at Sabal Palm Grove, Santa Ana NWR, and Laguna Atascosa NWR.

Similar Species: Combination of large size, long rounded tail, and bar across primaries distinguishes Common Pauraque from Common Poorwill (resident in Starr County) and Chuck-will’s-widow and Whip-poor-will (both migrants).

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Common Pauraque - Range Map

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