Watercolor portrait of Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)

Common Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollis
Fairly common Main song

Learn to identify the Common Pauraque by ear. Master the "pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!”

What the Common Pauraque sounds like

A big, soft-looking nightjar that seems to appear out of the dusk itself. By day it melts into leaf litter; by night it sits on roads and trails, then lifts off on silent, buoyant wings.

“pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A clear, repeated two-syllable phrase, steady and ringing in the dusk. It often carries from a roadside perch or dark clearing and gives the bird its name. Often written as “pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!”.
Don't confuse with:The Common Nighthawk — more streamlined, with longer pointed wings and a very different flight style.

Where you'll hear it

Year-round across much of the tropics from Mexico through South America. At the northern edge of its range, including south Texas, it is mainly a warm-season visitor.

Forest edges, open woodland, scrub, plantations, and brushy clearings. It loves spots with a little cover nearby and open ground for hunting after dark.

Most active at dusk, dawn, and on moonlit nights. During the day it roosts motionless on the ground or along a low branch, trusting its camouflage to do the work.

Similar species

Common Nighthawk

More streamlined, with longer pointed wings and a very different flight style.

Chuck-will's-widow

Larger and bulkier, with an even bigger head and a heavier look.

Buff-collared Nightjar

Shows a warmer buffy collar and more contrasting face pattern.

Common Pauraque song FAQ

What does a Common Pauraque sound like?
A clear, repeated two-syllable phrase, steady and ringing in the dusk. It often carries from a roadside perch or dark clearing and gives the bird its name. Listen for the "pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!" phrase.
How do I tell a Common Pauraque from a Common Nighthawk by sound?
Common Nighthawk: More streamlined, with longer pointed wings and a very different flight style.; Shows bold white wing bars but usually flies higher overhead, not sitting quietly on a road.; Often active in broader open skies at dusk rather than hiding on the ground under cover..
When is the best time to hear a Common Pauraque?
Most active at dusk, dawn, and on moonlit nights. During the day it roosts motionless on the ground or along a low branch, trusting its camouflage to do the work.