Chuck-will's-widow

Caprimulgus carolinensis

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 11 inches
* Very short bill
* Long tail
* Mottled brownish underparts
* Brown and white patterning on head and chest
* Brown underparts with thin dark bars
* Buff throat

Adult male:

* White patch borders lower margin of black throat
* Brown and black barred tail with white inner margins to outer tail feathers

Adult female:

* Buff patch borders lower margin of throat
* Entirely brown tail barred with black

Similar species:

Separated from nighthawks by the lack of a pale patch in the wing. Common Poorwill is smaller and its wings extend to the tail at rest. Chuck-will's-widow is significantly larger and longer tailed than the Whip-poor-will, is overall a rich brown rather than gray, and has a buff (rather than black) throat. All nightjars are easily identified by their distinctive songs.