Female © Edwin Munera
Female © Rob Felix
Male © Rob Felix
Female © Daniel Orozco Montoya

Swallow-tailed Nightjar Uropsalis segmentata

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Brown and buff night bird found in higher elevations of the Andes. Male has an impressively long tail that is several times the length of its body. Similar to Lyre-tailed Nightjar, which is found at slightly lower elevations, but Swallow-tailed does not have as strong of a cinnamon collar on back of neck, and male lacks white tips to the tail seen on Lyre-tailed. Female might be confused with Band-winged Nightjar, but Swallow-tailed does not have white patches on the wings. Inhabits forest edge and is often found near road cuts, cliffs, and landslides, where it sallies out to catch insects on the wing. Male’s song is an eerie, raspy whistle that first rises in pitch and then falls.

POWERED BY MERLIN