Head to head
Common Pauraque vs Band-winged Nightjar
Common Pauraque
VS Band-winged Nightjar
Both are nocturnal nightjars that rely on camouflage and ground roosting, but they occupy very different elevations across the Americas.
| Common Pauraque | Band-winged Nightjar | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Nyctidromus albicollis | Systellura longirostris |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Range | Southern United States to South America | Andes from Colombia to Argentina |
| Typical elevation | Lowland | High Andean elevation |
| Distinguishing feature | Glowing orange-red eyeshine at night | Pale band crossing each wing in flight |
| Habitat | Forest edge, grassland | Grassland, mountains |
| Nest | Eggs laid directly on bare ground | Not specifically documented |
| Diet | Moths and flying insects | Moths and flying insects |
Common Pauraque vs Band-winged Nightjar: common questions
Which nightjar lives at a higher elevation?
The band-winged nightjar does, tolerating high Andean grassland well above the elevations typically used by the lowland common pauraque.
How can you tell these two nightjars apart?
The common pauraque is known for glowing orange-red eyeshine at night, while the band-winged nightjar shows a distinctive pale band crossing each wing visible in flight.
Where do these two nightjars live?
The common pauraque ranges from the southern United States through much of South America at lower elevations, while the band-winged nightjar is restricted to the Andes from Colombia to Argentina.