Todd's Nightjar Setopagis heterura Scientific name definitions

Until recently this small grayish-brown nightjar was considered conspecific with the Little Nightjar (Caprimulgus parvulus); however, their songs are quite different, with the present species’ territorial call being transcribed pik, gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble. The two species’ ranges are entirely allopatric, with the Todd’s Nightjar restricted to northernmost South America, between extreme northeast Colombia, across northern and central Venezuela, and southern Guyana, where this species was only recently discovered. It has been postulated that the Todd’s Nightjar might also be eventually found in the savannas of northernmost Brazil, in the state of Roraima. This nightjar is found in open forests, woodlands and other wooded country, where it occurs from sea level to 2000 m. In part because of the species’ long-standing placement as a subspecies, its behavior and biology require elucidation.

Formerly considered conspecific with Nyctidromus anthonyi, but differs in vocalizations. Until recently, treated as conspecific with S. parvula, but differs in strongly divergent song (“TIK-tok-gbl-gbl-gbl”, relatively slow, deliberate, each note equally spaced, usually only 3 of last notes, vs “tlok-CHRRRRÚII-groigroigroigroigroi” with first note almost swallowed, second note stressed and rising, last notes fast, slightly descending) (3); much wider white band across five outer primaries (2); slightly darker underparts (1); slightly larger white spots on tail-feather tips (1); note that overall tone of coloration is apparently variable in both forms. Genetic data offer reasonable support for this split, as heterura and parvula differ by 5% in mtDNA (1 Sigurðsson, S., and J. Cracraft (2014). Deciphering the diversity and history of New World nightjars (Aves: Caprimulgidae) using molecular phylogenetics. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 170(3):506–545. Close ). Monotypic.

NE Colombia and N & C Venezuela. Recently recorded in Guyana (2 Milensky, C.M., Wilkinson, F.A. and Holland, A.P. (2009). First record of Todd’s Nightjar Caprimulgus heterurus in Guyana. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 129(2): 119–120. Close ) and far N Brazil (Roraima) (3 Costa, T.V.V., Stotz, D.F., Barbosa, K.V.C. and Silveira, L.F. (2016). First records of Todd’s Nightjar (Setopagis heterura) for Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia. 24(3): 290–292. Close ).

Borders of deciduous and semi-deciduous woodland, gallery forest, lightly wooded terrain, shrubby thickets and even suburban parkland. Appears to prefer foothills or slightly hilly terrain (4 Schwartz, P. (1968). Notes on two Neotropical nightjars Caprimulgus anthonyi and Caprimulgus parvulus. Condor. 70: 223-227. Close ). Occurs from sea-level to 1000 m in Venezuela (claimed once at 1870 m) (5 Ramoni-Perazzi, P., Soto-Werschitz, I.A., Bianchi-Pérez, G., Jones, J., Ruíz-Ramoni, D., Molina, M., Muñoz-Romo, M. and Correa, I. (2014). Noteworthy records for the avifauna of the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela. Cotinga. 36: 2–11. Close ), but generally only at low elevations in Colombia.

Presumably sedentary.

Song  an evenly pitched “pik-you, gobble-gobble-gobble”, repeated at short intervals, sounding quicker and more condensed than S. parvula, and described as ‘...almost dainty as if dancing in silvery spaces of light on moonfilled nights. It is an eerily fascinating serenade, coming as if from an unearthly spirit that has been set loose among us, toying with us, ever tantalizing yet unattainable’ (6 Hilty, S. L. (2003). Birds of Venezuela. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Apparently sings only for short period during breeding season. Sings from ground or low perch. Other calls, if any, unknown.

Almost nothing known. Breeds from late Oct in N Colombia (eggs and female in breeding condition), but heard mainly late Apr to early May in N Venezuela (the presumed local breeding season), although there are also aural records in Jan–Feb in this region. Sings Sept at least in Guyana. No nest, eggs laid on ground, beneath thick bush. Clutch two white eggs, presumably incubated by both sexes.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). No overall estimate of population size. Rare (or perhaps overlooked) in Colombia (7 Hilty, S. L., and W. L. Brown (1986). A Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ), uncommon to locally fairly common in Venezuela (6 Hilty, S. L. (2003). Birds of Venezuela. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); status in Guyana unclear (first recorded in 2006) (2 Milensky, C.M., Wilkinson, F.A. and Holland, A.P. (2009). First record of Todd’s Nightjar Caprimulgus heterurus in Guyana. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 129(2): 119–120. Close ); there are two records for N Brazil (Roraima state, Mar 1992 and Feb 2007) (3 Costa, T.V.V., Stotz, D.F., Barbosa, K.V.C. and Silveira, L.F. (2016). First records of Todd’s Nightjar (Setopagis heterura) for Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia. 24(3): 290–292. Close ). Occurs in several protected areas, such as Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela.