Eared Poorwill (Nyctiphrynus mcleodii)

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Image of a Eared Poorwill in its natural habitat
Birds Poorwill

Introduction

The Eared Poorwill, Nyctiphrynus mcleodii, is a nocturnal nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to Mexico, where it occurs mainly in mountainous woodland and forest habitats. Its cryptic plumage, ground-roosting habits and subdued nocturnal activity make it difficult to detect except by its distinctive calls. The species is recognised in current international bird taxonomies, although the treatment of some subspecies has varied between authorities. (ww.worldbirdnames.org)

Physical Description

The Eared Poorwill is a small, compact nightjar measuring approximately 20–21 cm in length. It has a broad, slightly hooked bill, large eyes and long, pointed wings suited to agile nocturnal flight.

Its plumage is predominantly greyish-brown, buff and dark brown, providing effective camouflage among leaf litter, bark and shaded woodland floors. The upperparts are marked with darker spotting, while the wing coverts show contrasting white spots. A narrow pale collar encircles the hindneck and broadens across the throat. Most tail feathers, apart from the central pair, have pale or white tips.

The name “Eared Poorwill” refers to elongated crown feathers that can give the impression of small ear tufts. These are feathers rather than external ears. Males generally show more conspicuous white markings, while females are often more rufous and have less prominent white in the tail and wing. A rufous colour variation has also been reported. (en.wikipedia.org)

Range and Habitat

The Eared Poorwill is endemic to Mexico. Its distribution extends through parts of western and south-western Mexico, from south-eastern Sonora and western Chihuahua southwards through areas including Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero and Oaxaca. It is associated primarily with the Pacific-facing mountain ranges rather than the Sierra Madre Oriental as a whole.

It occupies open or semi-open pine-oak and oak woodland, tropical deciduous forest, woodland edges, wooded gullies, hillsides below cloud forest and overgrown clearings. The species is usually found at middle elevations, broadly from about 600 to 2,000 metres, although records have extended to approximately 2,500 metres. Older ornithological sources describe pine-oak and tropical deciduous forest as important habitats, particularly at roughly 1,100–1,800 metres. (biodiversitylibrary.org)

The species is generally regarded as resident, but seasonal movement or changes in detectability may occur in parts of the range. Some records from Oaxaca have suggested seasonal movement, although the extent and regularity of such movements remain uncertain. Two subspecies are commonly recognised, N. m. mcleodii in the northern and central part of the range and N. m. rayi farther south, but the validity and limits of these forms have not been treated consistently by all authorities.

Behaviour and Diet

The Eared Poorwill is primarily nocturnal. It typically remains concealed on the ground or in low vegetation during daylight, relying on its mottled plumage to avoid detection. It becomes active around dusk and may forage from the ground or by making short sallies from a low perch to capture insects in flight.

Beetles and moths appear to form an important part of its diet, with other flying insects probably taken opportunistically. The bird’s wide gape is characteristic of nightjars and allows it to seize insects during brief, manoeuvrable flights.

The male’s breeding song has been described as a loud, abrupt “peeyo” or “peejo” note, sometimes followed by descending or wavering calls. These vocalisations are given at night from a perch or from the ground and are more useful for locating the species than visual searching. (en.wikipedia.org)

The species does not build an elaborate nest. Two eggs are laid directly on the ground, usually among leaf litter or on bare ground beneath cover, and both adults are reported to share incubation. Breeding has been reported mainly from April to June, although timing may vary geographically. Claims that the Eared Poorwill regularly enters torpor should be treated cautiously, as well-documented torpor is better established in the Common Poorwill and should not automatically be attributed to this species.

Identification Tips

Look for the following combination of features when identifying an Eared Poorwill:

  • A small, compact nightjar with a short-looking tail and broad bill.
  • Mottled greyish-brown, buff and dark plumage that blends with leaf litter.
  • A narrow pale collar around the hindneck, widening across the throat.
  • White spots on the wing coverts and pale or white tips on most tail feathers.
  • Elongated crown feathers that may suggest small ears when the bird is alert.
  • A preference for resting on or close to the ground during the day.
  • A distinctive abrupt nocturnal song, rather than the repeated “poor-will” call associated with the Common Poorwill.

The closely related Yucatan Poorwill, Nyctiphrynus yucatanicus, can be difficult to separate where ranges approach one another. The Eared Poorwill is generally associated with montane woodland, has a more distinct narrow hindneck collar and shows a somewhat plainer overall pattern. Identification should also take account of habitat, elevation and vocalisation rather than relying on a single plumage mark.

Conservation Status

The Eared Poorwill is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The assessment recognises its relatively broad distribution, but available information on its population size and precise population trend remains limited. A global population estimate is not included here because reliable, current figures are not available from the sources consulted. (handwiki.org)

Deforestation, agricultural expansion, grazing, road development and the degradation or fragmentation of pine-oak and dry-forest habitats may affect local populations. These pressures should not be interpreted as evidence that the species currently meets a threatened category, but they support the need for continued monitoring, especially in areas where woodland is being cleared or simplified.

Useful conservation measures include protecting remaining mountain woodland, maintaining forest edges and native understorey, retaining leaf-litter habitat, and surveying poorly known parts of the range. No species-specific recovery programme is identified in the sources used for this article. Carefully documented records from bird surveys and citizen-science platforms can help improve knowledge of distribution, breeding season and local abundance, provided observations are supported by reliable photographs, recordings or expert verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Eared Poorwill live?

The Eared Poorwill lives in Mexico, mainly in western and south-western mountain regions. It uses open pine-oak and oak woodland, tropical deciduous forest, wooded gullies, forest edges and overgrown clearings.

Is the Eared Poorwill endemic to Mexico?

Yes. The species is endemic to Mexico, meaning that its natural range is confined to that country.

Why is it called the Eared Poorwill?

The name refers to elongated feathers on the crown that can resemble small ears. The bird does not have mammalian-style external ears.

What does the Eared Poorwill eat?

It is an insectivore. Beetles and moths appear to be important prey, which the bird captures during short flights from the ground or a low perch.

Does the Eared Poorwill build a nest?

No elaborate nest is built. The female lays two eggs directly on the ground, usually among leaf litter or other natural cover, and both adults are reported to incubate them.

What is the conservation status of the Eared Poorwill?

The Eared Poorwill is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Nevertheless, habitat loss and degradation may affect local populations, and further field research is needed to clarify its population trend.

References

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