AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Hydropsalis maculicaudus
Spot-tailed Nightjar
(Lawrence, 1862)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A small, intricately patterned nightjar with highly cryptic mottled brown, grey, and buff plumage. It features a narrow buffy or rufous collar on the hindneck and a short, rounded tail. Males are distinguished by a row of conspicuous white spots on the inner webs of their outer tail feathers and a white band across the wings.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Caprimulgiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Caprimulgidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Hydropsalis
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Lawrence, 1862)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Prefers dry and semi-arid open grassy areas, humid savannas, wet pastures, marshes, and shrubby fields in lowland regions. It is often found roosting on the ground in moist, grassy depressions.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Strictly nocturnal and crepuscular. It spends the day roosting motionlessly on the ground or low stumps. At night, it hunts from the ground or a low perch, sallying upward short distances into the air to snap up passing insects before returning to the same spot.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Primarily solitary outside of the breeding season. During territorial or courtship displays, males emit a high, liquid, repetitive whistling song and engage in short aerial chases, flashing their unique white tail markings.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Nocturnal aerial insectivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Diet consists of insects (beetles, moths, ants, termites, crickets). Preyed upon by owls, bats, snakes, raptors, and larger carnivorous mammals.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Does not build a nest structure. The female lays eggs directly onto a clutch site on bare earth, leaf litter, or flattened grass. Both sexes share incubation duties, relying entirely on their combined camouflage to keep the nest location secret.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
19.0 - 22.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
28 g - 42 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.1 - 2
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
10 - 12 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
19 - 21
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males4 - 7 Years
Females4 - 7 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males possess distinctive white spots across the four outer pairs of tail feathers and a prominent white wing-bar, which are dramatically displayed during low aerial display flights over the breeding territory.
Females Multi-lang
Females lack the bold white wing-bars and white tail spots of the male. Instead, their tail markings are a buff or pale ochre color, enhancing their overall cryptic camouflage while single-handedly sheltering the ground nest site.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Exquisite cryptic plumage mimics dead leaves, dry grass, and bare soil perfectly, allowing the bird to remain completely invisible to predators during daytime roosting.
Features an exceptionally wide gape lined with specialized rictal bristles, acting as a natural scoop to catch flying insects out of the air in low-light conditions.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Loss of seasonal savanna and marsh habitats due to drainage projects, widespread cattle ranching intensification, and frequent human-induced fires during dry periods.
Habitat fragmentation and widespread use of agricultural pesticides that drastically reduce the abundance of nocturnal flying insect populations.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
When flushed during the day, it flies a short distance low over the grass and abruptly drops back down, completely 'vanishing' into the vegetation within a second due to its camouflage.