Lurocalis semitorquatus (J.F.Gmelin, 1789)

Length Measurement

The short-tailed nighthawk (Lurocalis semitorquatus) measures 19 to 21 cm (7.5 to 8.3 in) in length.

Weight Measurements

Recorded weights include 79 g (2.8 oz) for one female of the nominate subspecies L. s. semitorquatus, and 82 to 89 g (2.9 to 3.1 oz) for several males of subspecies L. s. nattereri.

General Body Description

It is a rather large nightjar with an unusually short tail.

Upperparts Coloration

Its upperparts are dark brown to blackish, marked with rufous and buff spots and speckles.

Wing Features

The wings are also dark brown with muted multi-colored spots, and unlike most other nighthawks, they lack bold white markings.

Tail Features

The tail is brown with tawny or grayish bars, and ends in a narrow buffy or whitish band.

Underparts Coloration

The chin is dark brown, the throat is white, the upper breast is dark brown with lighter speckles, the lower breast is buff with brown bars, and the belly and flanks are tawny buff with brown bars.

Subspecies Plumage Variation

Subspecies of the short-tailed nighthawk differ slightly in size, as well as in the extent and intensity of the spots, speckles, and bars that overlay their base plumage color.

Vocalization Variation

The species' most common vocalization varies slightly between subspecies: for L. s. nattereri it is described as a "constantly repeated but well-spaced ewIT ... ewIT ... ewIT ...", while for L. s. stonei it is described as "a sharp, slightly liquid g'wik or gweek".

Vocalization Context

This vocalization is produced both when the bird is perched and when it is in flight.

Geographic Distribution

The short-tailed nighthawk is widely distributed across Central and northern South America.

Habitat Types

It primarily inhabits lowland evergreen forest, but is also found in more open landscapes including forest clearings, river edges, old cacao plantations, and middle-aged secondary forest.

Population Movement Patterns

Northern populations of the species are generally resident, though the seasonal distribution of Amazonian subspecies is not well understood.

Southern Population Migration

Southern populations are migratory, and may travel as far north as Venezuela during the austral winter.