What does the Common Pauraque sound like at night?

Nyctidromus albicollis

Sounds at Night Heard after dark Fairly common

Press play. If that is the sound outside, you have your answer — the Common Pauraque's "pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!".

“pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!”

What you're hearing

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.

“pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!”

Birders often file this one under Main song.

What time of night you hear it

After dark in south Texas brushland, all year.

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.

Why a Common Pauraque calls at night

A burry, slurred whistle out of the dark — pur-WHEEEER — rising then sliding off. It commonly sits directly on roads and trails at night, so it is heard and seen more often than most nightjars.

What else could it be?

The other voices you are most likely to hear in the dark. Play them and compare.

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.

Barred Owl

Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?

Common Pauraque night call FAQ

What does a Common Pauraque sound like at night?

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. Birders write it as "pauraque! pauraque! pauraque!".

What time of night do you hear Common Pauraques?

After dark in south Texas brushland, all year.

Why is a Common Pauraque calling at night?

A burry, slurred whistle out of the dark — pur-WHEEEER — rising then sliding off. It commonly sits directly on roads and trails at night, so it is heard and seen more often than most nightjars.

More Common Pauraque sounds

Common Pauraque: the full species pageEvery sound we have, field marks, habitat and similar species.Weird Bird Sounds at Night, Identified: Screeches, Squeaks & Trills (With Audio)It is 2:00 AM. The house is quiet. Then: SQUEAK. SQUEAK. If you have landed here, you are probably hearing weird bird sounds at night and trying to decide whether to call a mechanic, a ghost hunter, or a birdwatcher.Birds Singing at Night: The 6 Species You're Probably Hearing (Hear Each Call)Hear birds singing in the middle of the night? From owls and nightjars to mockingbirds and robins, learn who sings after dark and how to tell them apart by ear.Winter Bird Sounds: 5 Calls to Learn While It's Cold OutsideWinter is actually the best time to learn bird sounds. Fewer species, quieter woods, and bare branches that carry sound farther. Here are 5 birds you'll hear this winter — and how to recognize them by ear.