Introduction
Todd’s Nightjar (Setopagis heterura) is a small, elusive nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is a nocturnal and crepuscular bird of northern South America, where its cryptic plumage, ground-oriented habits and limited vocal activity can make it difficult to detect. The species was formerly treated by some authorities as a subspecies of the Little Nightjar (Setopagis parvula), but differences in voice and plumage support its recognition as a separate species.
Physical Description
Todd’s Nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar with intricately mottled greyish-brown, buff and darker plumage. This pattern provides effective camouflage against leaf litter, bare soil, grass and the shaded ground beneath woodland. The head is relatively large, the bill is short and the wings are long and pointed. The tail is comparatively short, giving the bird a distinctive broad-winged appearance when perched or in flight.
Available measurements indicate a wing chord of approximately 135–146 mm in S. heterura. A Brazilian specimen had a wing chord of 144 mm and a tail length of 99 mm. Published descriptions suggest that the species is roughly 19–21 cm long, although measurements and plumage details are not comprehensively documented.
The sexes are similar but may differ subtly in the extent and tone of their pale markings. Pale or white markings on the outer tail feathers are useful in separating Todd’s Nightjar from the closely related Little Nightjar, although this feature varies between individuals and should not be used alone. The white band across the primaries can also be more extensive in Todd’s Nightjar, but overlap between the two species limits its reliability.
Range and Habitat
Todd’s Nightjar occurs in northern South America. Confirmed records are known from Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and northern Brazil. The species was originally described from the Santa Marta region of Colombia, and later records extended its known range through other parts of Colombia and Venezuela, the Rupununi region of Guyana and Roraima in Brazil.
It is associated mainly with grasslands, open woodland, forest edges, gallery forest, deciduous or semi-deciduous woodland and other semi-open habitats. It may also occur in lightly wooded areas, clearings and some suburban parks. The species appears to favour relatively open or broken landscapes, sometimes on gently hilly ground, rather than dense, closed-canopy rainforest.
In Venezuela it has been recorded from near sea level to approximately 1,000 metres, while Colombian records are generally from lower elevations. The species is regarded as non-migratory, although its movements and seasonal distribution are poorly documented. Geographic variation and the full limits of its range remain incompletely understood because relatively few records are available.
Behaviour and Diet
Todd’s Nightjar is most active at dusk, during the night and before dawn. It usually remains on the ground or on a low perch during daylight, where its cryptic plumage makes it difficult to see. When disturbed, it may flush suddenly and fly a short distance before settling again.
The species feeds mainly on flying insects. It forages by making short sallies from the ground or a low perch, catching prey in the air. Moths, beetles and other insects are likely to form part of its diet, but the species’ feeding ecology has not been studied in detail and a complete list of prey is unavailable.
Its song is an important means of detection and is associated with territorial and breeding activity. It has been described as a deep, evenly pitched series resembling “pik-you, gobble-gobble-gobble”. Vocal activity is particularly useful during the breeding season, although the timing of breeding varies geographically and is not fully known.
Breeding information remains limited. The known clutch consists of two eggs laid directly on the ground, usually beneath or near a bush. The eggs and incubating adult rely on camouflage rather than a constructed nest. Detailed information on incubation, fledging, parental care and age-related plumage is still lacking.
Identification Tips
- Look for a medium-sized, cryptically patterned nightjar in grassland, open woodland, forest edges or clearings in northern South America.
- Search at dusk or after dark, particularly on quiet tracks, open ground and low perches near woodland.
- Listen for the characteristic deep, evenly pitched song, often rendered as “pik-you, gobble-gobble-gobble”.
- In flight, note the long pointed wings, short tail and pale wing and tail markings.
- The combination of a relatively short tail and white on the outer tail feathers can help distinguish it from the Little Nightjar (Setopagis parvula), but the markings overlap and voice is often the more useful field character.
- Identification should be based on habitat, voice, structure and plumage together. Isolated pale markings are not sufficient for a confident identification.
Conservation Status
Todd’s Nightjar is currently listed as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List system. Its population size has not been reliably quantified, and the species is considered poorly known in parts of its range. Available information indicates that it is uncommon or locally distributed in some areas, while it may be more frequent in suitable habitat elsewhere.
The main potential pressures are the conversion and degradation of open woodland, grassland and forest-edge habitats, including changes caused by agriculture, infrastructure and other land-use activities. Because the species often uses habitat mosaics rather than intact closed forest alone, conservation should maintain a connected mix of woodland, natural clearings, grassland and low vegetation.
Some records come from protected areas, but further field surveys are needed to clarify the species’ distribution, abundance, breeding season, population trend and habitat requirements. Protecting remaining habitat, retaining natural ground cover and improving monitoring would support more effective conservation planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Todd’s Nightjar live?
Todd’s Nightjar occurs in Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and northern Brazil. It is mainly associated with grasslands, open and deciduous woodland, gallery forest, forest edges and clearings.
Is Todd’s Nightjar migratory?
It is generally regarded as non-migratory or sedentary. However, its movements are poorly documented, so the absence of long-distance migration should not be interpreted as proof that it never moves seasonally.
What does Todd’s Nightjar eat?
It feeds mainly on flying insects, which it catches during short flights from the ground or a low perch. Moths, beetles and other insects are likely prey, but its diet has not been studied comprehensively.
How can Todd’s Nightjar be identified?
Listen for its deep, evenly pitched song at dusk or during the night. Visual clues include mottled brown and grey plumage, long pointed wings, a relatively short tail and pale markings on the wings and outer tail feathers.
Where does Todd’s Nightjar nest?
It lays its eggs directly on the ground, usually beneath or near a bush. The known clutch contains two eggs, but many details of its breeding biology remain uncertain.
Is Todd’s Nightjar threatened?
The species is listed as Least Concern, but its population is not well known. Habitat conversion and degradation may affect local populations, so continued surveys and protection of suitable grassland, woodland and forest-edge habitats are important.
References
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. and Rasmussen, P. (eds). 2026. IOC World Bird List, version 15.2. International Ornithologists’ Union. https://www.worldbirdnames.org/ (accessed 8 September 2026).
- del Hoyo, J., Collar, N., Kirwan, G. M. and Sharpe, C. J. 2020. Todd’s Nightjar (Setopagis heterura), version 1.0. In: J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie and E. de Juana (eds), Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.samnig1.01.
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03544356.
- Milensky, C. M., Wilkinson, F. A. and Holland, A. P. 2009. First record of Todd’s Nightjar Caprimulgus heterurus in Guyana. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 129(2): 119–120. Smithsonian Institution repository. http://hdl.handle.net/10088/8170 (accessed 8 September 2026).
- Davis, L. I. 1978. Acoustic evidence of relationship in Caprimulginae. Pan American Studies 1(1): 22–57.
- Remsen, J. V. Jr. 2010. Split Santa Marta Nightjar (Caprimulgus heterurus) from Little Nightjar (Caprimulgus parvulus). South American Classification Committee, proposal 169. Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCprop169.htm (accessed 8 September 2026).
- World Bird Names. n.d. Todd’s Nightjar / Setopagis heterura. World Bird Names. https://www.worldbirdnames.com/bird/todd-s-nightjar/3524.html (accessed 8 September 2026).
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