Photo: Johann Baptist von Spix / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Pygmy Nightjar
Nyctipolus hirundinaceus
Pygmy Nightjar (Nyctipolus hirundinaceus) — Nightjars & Allies of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Pygmy Nightjar (Nyctipolus hirundinaceus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 32 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 Nyctipolus
- Species hirundinaceus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 32 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Pygmy Nightjar 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 Pygmy Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Pygmy Nightjar (Nyctipolus hirundinaceus) is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA ne, e Brazil.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 32 g, with a wing length of about 12.4 cm and a tail of around 8.8 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 678,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Pygmy Nightjar?
The Pygmy Nightjar is a small bird that weighs around 32 g.
Where does the Pygmy Nightjar live?
The Pygmy Nightjar is found across South America with a range covering SA ne, e Brazil, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Pygmy Nightjar belong to?
The Pygmy Nightjar (Nyctipolus hirundinaceus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Pygmy Nightjar eat?
The Pygmy Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Pygmy Nightjar migrate?
The Pygmy Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Pygmy 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 Pygmy Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Pygmy 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 Pygmy Nightjar's range?
The Pygmy Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 678,000 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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