Identification
Small dark nightjar with very limited range in the highlands of Costa Rica and Panama. Few obvious plumage features: entire body is intricately patterned with dark brown, black, and buff. Pale corners to tail (white in male, buffy in female). Fairly common above around 1,500 m, where it can be found at the edge of cloud forest. Usually perches on a fence post or low branch. Strictly nocturnal, and easily detected by voice; listen for the trilled “whip, wee-per-wee!,” rising at the end. Closely related to whip-poor-wills further north.