Photo: markaharper1 / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
Lurocalis rufiventris
Rufous-bellied Nighthawk (Lurocalis rufiventris) — Nightjars & Allies of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk (Lurocalis rufiventris) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 128 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 Lurocalis
- Species rufiventris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 128 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk 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 Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk (Lurocalis rufiventris) is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA Venezuela to Bolivia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 128 g, with a wing length of about 20.3 cm and a tail of around 8.1 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 307,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk?
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 128 g.
Where does the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk live?
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is found across South America with a range covering SA Venezuela to Bolivia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk belong to?
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk (Lurocalis rufiventris) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk eat?
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk migrate?
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk 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 Rufous-bellied Nighthawk make?
1 real field recording of the Rufous-bellied Nighthawk — 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 Rufous-bellied Nighthawk's range?
The Rufous-bellied Nighthawk has a mapped global range of about 307,000 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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