Band-winged Nightjar
Systellura longirostris
The Band-winged Nightjar (Systellura longirostris) is a rare nightjars and nighthawk found in 10 countries, weighing about 46 g. The band-winged nightjar or greater band-winged nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae.
About the Band-winged Nightjar
The band-winged nightjar or greater band-winged nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is the only species now placed in the genus Systellura. It is widespread in South America, where it is found in the Andes, Venezuelan Coastal Range, Santa Marta Mountains, Tepuis, most of Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and eastern Brazil. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, from the edge of humid montane forests to shrubby semi-deserts and urban rooftops.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Over its large range, there are significant variations in its morphology, but, as suggested by its common name, it always has a distinctive band in the wing (best visible in flight), which is white in the male and buff in the female. This nightjar has a length that varies from 20 to 27 cm (for Ecuador, 21.5 to 23 cm). The iris, bill, legs, and feet vary from brown to blackish brown. On the upper side, a greyish-brown, blackish-brown, brownish-orange, pale yellowish-brown, and greyish-white coloration can be distinguished. The rear of the neck is from a brownish orange to a yellowish brown. Voice: The species has a variety of calls. The territorial tone is a high-sharp whistle, seeeeert sweeeert seeeet, constantly repeated every 1 to 3 seconds. Whistles can be heard at dusk or dawn. The flight whistle is usually heard during the breeding season as a high cheet. Females when flushed produce a nasal sound like tchree-ee.
What the Band-winged Nightjar sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Band-winged Nightjar can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Band-winged Nightjar?
- Over its large range, there are significant variations in its morphology, but, as suggested by its common name, it always has a distinctive band in the wing (best visible in flight), which is white in the male and buff in the female. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Band-winged Nightjar?
- The Band-winged Nightjar is a small sized bird weighing about 46 g.
- Where can you see a Band-winged Nightjar?
- The Band-winged Nightjar occurs in 10 countries, including Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil.
- What does a Band-winged Nightjar sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Band-winged Nightjar on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Band-winged Nightjar?
- The Band-winged Nightjar is most easily confused with the Short-tailed Nighthawk, the Antillean Nighthawk and the Jerdon's Nightjar.
Learn the Band-winged Nightjar for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.