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 "pur-WHEEER... pur-WHEEER" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“pur-WHEEER... pur-WHEEER”

What the Common Pauraque sounds like

A repeated, burry “pur-WHEEER,” slurred downward and often given after dusk or at night. Excited males may add quicker notes before the longer whistle.

How to tell it apart

Listen for: “pur-WHEEER... pur-WHEEER”
Don't confuse with the Chuck-will's-widow. Song is a rolling, repeated 'chuck-will's-widow,' not the simpler pauraque phrase.

Where you'll hear it

Year-round across its tropical range and in southern Texas. Birds may be quieter and harder to detect in cooler weather, but the Texas population is not simply a summer 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.

How to recognize it by sight

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.

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 repeated, burry “pur-WHEEER,” slurred downward and often given after dusk or at night. Excited males may add quicker notes before the longer whistle. Listen for the "pur-WHEEER... pur-WHEEER" phrase.
How do I tell a Common Pauraque from a Chuck-will's-widow by sound?
Chuck-will's-widow: Song is a rolling, repeated 'chuck-will's-widow,' not the simpler pauraque phrase.
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.