General

Buff-collared Nightjar: Small nightjar with mottled gray-brown upperparts, buff collar that appears lighter on dark throat, and pale gray-brown underparts with dark brown bars. Tail is gray-brown with white corners. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Buff-collared Nightjar: Resident in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico; also in Mexico. Preferred habitats include dry open woodlands, scrub, and thorny forest edges.

Breeding and Nesting

Buff-collared Nightjar: One or two brown and lavender spotted, pale buff eggs are laid on dried leaves or bare ground in the shade. Female incubates eggs for about 21 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Buff-collared Nightjar: Feeds on insects; catches food on the wing, mostly at night.

Vocalization

Buff-collared Nightjar: Song is a staccato "cu-cu-cu-cuc-cuc-cuc-uh-chee-ah."

Similar Species

Buff-collared Nightjar: Whip-poor-will is darker with bolder pattern of spots, bars, and vermiculations, lacks collar, and has different voice.