List of Arizona-SW Birds (Yuma County, Arizona) - Goatsuckers, Nighthawks

Goatsuckers, Nighthawks

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species world wide, and 9 North American species. (It is noted under the Nightjar article, that specific species can perch non-perpendicular, or transverse, on a branch, as a higher point of camouflage! See "Evolution" article.)

• ( * SW) Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
• Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, (C)
• ( * SW) Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
• Buff-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus ridgwayi
• Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus
  • (See Nightjar).