Common Poorwill

About the Common Poorwill

The common poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) is a nocturnal bird of the family Caprimulgidae, the nightjars. It is found from British Columbia and southeastern Alberta, through the western United States to northern Mexico. The bird's habitat is dry, open areas with grasses or shrubs, and even stony desert slopes with very little vegetation. Many northern birds migrate to winter within the breeding range in central and western Mexico, though some remain further north. The common poorwill is the only bird known to go into torpor for extended periods (weeks to months). This happens on the southern edge of its range in the United States, where it spends much of the winter inactive, concealed in piles of rocks.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Family

Nightjars and Allies

Order

Caprimulgiformes

Similar species

Other members of the nightjars and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

• Antillean Nighthawk Chordeiles gundlachii
• Buff-collared Nightjar Antrostomus ridgwayi
• Chuck-will's-widow Antrostomus carolinensis
• Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
• Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
• Eared Poorwill Nyctiphrynus mcleodii
• Eastern Whip-poor-will Antrostomus vociferus
• Gray Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka
• Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis
• Mexican Whip-poor-will Antrostomus arizonae
• Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus
• Spot-tailed Nightjar Antiurus maculicaudus