Skip to main content

Common Poorwill

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Photo by CynthiaMHori
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

40.767, -111.89

Field Notes

Description:

Adult Description
Medium-sized bird.
Large-headed with a tiny bill.
Tiny feet (rarely seen).
Very well camouflaged, colored in browns, black, and gray.
In flight, short rounded wings.
Short, rounded tail.
White band across throat.

Habitat:

Dry hills, open brush. Various kinds of open dry terrain at low elevation in the west, including rocky mesas with scattered shrubs, washes and hills in Sonoran desert, scrubby areas in dry open pine forest. May be found in open grassland, but usually only around rocky outcrops.

Notes:

We found him on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail above City Creek. it was sitting near a bench next to the path! It was very docile

Reference Links:

National Audubon Society

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
CynthiaMHori
The little guy was in the middle of a hiking path so we picked it up to move it. I think it liked the shade of my hiking partners leg actually! We moved it back under the park bench that we found it next to.
Desmond.E.S.O
So cool, Cynthia! It looks pretty scared (in that first picture)
CynthiaMHori
Jellis- you are probably right. I didn't like the range of the Mexican poor will for where I found it. The common is in my range. I will investigate more in the morning. Thanks!
Jellis
Looks more like a Common Poorwill. Mexican one doesn't seem to have the obvious white throat.
CynthiaMHori
thanks - we werent sure what was going on with this little guy - he was near a park bench on the ground. I have never seen one before so want even sure what it was .

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
Wildlife of Utah
Mission
Mission WILD
Photographed
PublishedJune 2, 2015

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies