Least Poorwill
Siphonorhis brewsteri
Least Poorwill (Siphonorhis brewsteri) — Nightjars & Allies of North America.
The Least Poorwill (Siphonorhis brewsteri) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 37 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Caprimulgiformes
- Family Caprimulgidae Nightjars
- Genus Siphonorhis
- Species brewsteri
Quick facts
- Weight
- 37 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Least Poorwill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Least Poorwill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Least Poorwill (Siphonorhis brewsteri) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. It is found across North America. Its distribution covers NA Hispaniola.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 37 g, with a wing length of about 11.4 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 19,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Least Poorwill?
The Least Poorwill is a small bird that weighs around 37 g.
Where does the Least Poorwill live?
The Least Poorwill is found across North America with a range covering NA Hispaniola, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Least Poorwill belong to?
The Least Poorwill (Siphonorhis brewsteri) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Least Poorwill eat?
The Least Poorwill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Least Poorwill migrate?
The Least Poorwill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Least Poorwill endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Least Poorwill make?
1 real field recording of the Least 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 Least Poorwill's range?
The Least Poorwill has a mapped global range of about 19,000 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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