Photo: Francesco Veronesi / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Buff-collared Nightjar
Antrostomus ridgwayi
Buff-collared Nightjar (Antrostomus ridgwayi) — Nightjars & Allies of Central America & Caribbean.
Found across 9 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Buff-collared Nightjar (Antrostomus ridgwayi) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Central America & Caribbean. Adults weigh 48 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 Antrostomus
- Species ridgwayi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 48 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Buff-collared Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Buff-collared Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Buff-collared Nightjar (Antrostomus ridgwayi) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Central America & Caribbean. Its distribution covers MA nw Mexico to Nicaragua.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 48 g, with a wing length of about 15 cm and a tail of around 12 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 631,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Buff-collared Nightjar?
The Buff-collared Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 48 g.
Where does the Buff-collared Nightjar live?
The Buff-collared Nightjar is found across Central America & Caribbean with a range covering MA nw Mexico to Nicaragua, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Buff-collared Nightjar belong to?
The Buff-collared Nightjar (Antrostomus ridgwayi) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Buff-collared Nightjar eat?
The Buff-collared Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Buff-collared Nightjar migrate?
The Buff-collared Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Buff-collared Nightjar 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 Buff-collared Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Buff-collared Nightjar — 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 Buff-collared Nightjar's range?
The Buff-collared Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 631,000 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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