Buff-collared Nightjar (Caprimulgus ridgwayi), Proctor Road, Pima County

This Buff-collared Nightjar was discovered by Justin Hopkins on 25 May 2013 and photographed by Laurens Halsey on 26 May 2013.

Rare and local summer visitor to mesquite filled washes and canyons along southern edge of Arizona. Probably occurs in small numbers in areas rarely visited by birders at the right time of day and year to detect it.  Nevertheless, it has been much less frequently reported in recent years and has disappeared from some of the spots that were reliable in the past such as McCleary Wash and California Gultch.  Therefore it is possibly declining. 

Easiest to identify by voice.  Compared to Mexican Whip-poor-will it has a broader, more obvious buffy collar and a plain crown lacking a dark median stripe. 

Recording made by Laurens Halsey on 26 May 2013:

Buff-collared Nightjar

26 May 2013, photo by Laurens Halsey

31 May 2013, photo by Chris West

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer