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".
The 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.
