The Nacunda nighthawk (Chordeiles nacunda) is not only the largest of the highly aerial nightjars known as nighthawks and the largest species of nightjar in the neotropics, but it is also one of the largest species in the world. The name ‘nacunda’ comes from the Guaraní word and means "big-mouth".
Di
DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
Ca
CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
In
InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
Ar
ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
Pr
PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
Ov
OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Pr
PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
So
SocialNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
N
starts withThe Nacunda nighthawk has a large head, and pale body with highly contrasting black primaries. It is somewhat less than the Great eared-nightjar, which is typically considered the largest species in the family, but the Nacunda may actually weigh a bit more on average.
Nacunda nighthawks occur in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela. They inhabit dry savanna, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, open woodland, and heavily degraded former forest.
Nacunda nighthawks are diurnal birds usually seen flying high singly, in pairs, or in small groups. On rare occasions, they may form large flocks that may contain up to 500 individuals. They are aerial foragers but spend a considerable amount of time on the ground; they have notably long tarsi for a nightjar and may be seen standing on the ground, rather than resting on the surface.
Nacunda nighthawks are carnivores (insectivores) Their diet consists of a wide variety of flying insects including bugs, beetles, moths, flies, and locusts.
Female Nacunda nighthawks are known to lay 1 or 2 eggs on the ground. They don’t build nests. The eggs hatch 19-24 days later and chicks are able to move around the nesting area soon after hatching. Both parents take care of their young for about 20-21 days until they fledge.
This species doesn’t face any major threats at present.
According to IUCN Red List, the Nacunda nighthawk is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...