Chocó poorwill

The Chocó poorwill was originally described as Caprimulgus rosenbergi, in a genus that was later split into multiple genera. For a time it was treated as a subspecies of ocellated poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus) but plumage, vocalization, and genetic differences show it to be its own species. It is monotypic.[3][4]

The Chocó poorwill is 19.5 to 22.5 cm (7.7 to 8.9 in) long; one female weighed 52 g (1.8 oz). Adults are generally variations on dark brown. The head is grayish with many black spots, the back grayish with cinnamon and rufous speckles, and the rump browner with grayish white speckles. The wings are brown to dark brown with tawny, cinnamon, and rufous spots and speckles and two prominent white spots. The chin is dark brown with cinnamon speckles and the throat has a large white patch. The breast is brown with cinnamon barring and speckles, the belly and flanks blackish brown with dense narrow grayish white bars. Juveniles are similar to adults but lack the two white spots on the wing and their back and breast markings are more chestnut.[4]

The Chocó poorwill is found on the Pacific slope from the northern part of Colombia's Chocó Department south into Ecuador's Esmeraldas Province and perhaps further south as well. It inhabits the Pacific/Chocó natural region, a biome characterized by very humid evergreen forest. It appears to favor edges such as along rivers and in treefall openings. In elevation it ranges from sea level to 900 m (3,000 ft).[4]

The IUCN has assessed the Chocó poorwill as least concern. Its population size is unknown but is believed to be decreasing due to accelerating deforestation for settlement, conversion to oil palm plantations, and other uses.[1]