Photo: Christoph Moning / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Choco Poorwill
Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi
Choco Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi) — Nightjars & Allies of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Choco Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 52 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Caprimulgiformes
- Family Caprimulgidae Nightjars
- Genus Nyctiphrynus
- Species rosenbergi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 52 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Choco Poorwill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Choco Poorwill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Choco Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA w Colombia and nw Ecuador.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 52 g, with a wing length of about 12.4 cm and a tail of around 9.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 58,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Choco Poorwill?
The Choco Poorwill is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 52 g.
Where does the Choco Poorwill live?
The Choco Poorwill is found across South America with a range covering SA w Colombia and nw Ecuador, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Choco Poorwill belong to?
The Choco Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Choco Poorwill eat?
The Choco Poorwill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Choco Poorwill migrate?
The Choco Poorwill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Choco Poorwill endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Choco Poorwill make?
1 real field recording of the Choco Poorwill — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Choco Poorwill's range?
The Choco Poorwill has a mapped global range of about 58,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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