Nacunda nighthawk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nacunda nighthawk |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chordeiles
|
| Species: |
nacunda
|
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The nacunda nighthawk (Chordeiles nacunda) is a really interesting bird. It's a type of nightjar, which are birds known for flying around mostly at night. This bird is found in many countries in South America, like Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. It likes to live in open areas such as dry savannas and grasslands that get wet sometimes. It can also be found in places where forests used to be.
About the Nacunda Nighthawk's Name
Scientists give every animal a special name. This helps everyone know exactly which animal they are talking about. The nacunda nighthawk used to have a different scientific name, Podager. This name came from a Latin word meaning "a man suffering from gout". It was used because this nighthawk walks a bit awkwardly on the ground.
The word nacunda comes from the Guaraní people. It means "big-mouth". This is a good name for the bird because it has a very wide mouth! In 2011, scientists decided to move the nacunda nighthawk into a different group, or genus, called Chordeiles.
What Does the Nacunda Nighthawk Look Like?
The nacunda nighthawk is a very large bird. It's not just the biggest nighthawk that flies high in the sky, but also one of the largest nightjars in the whole world! It can be about 27.5 to 32 centimeters (11 to 12.5 inches) long. Even though another type of nightjar, the great eared-nightjar, might be a bit longer, the nacunda nighthawk can actually weigh more. On average, these birds weigh about 159 grams (5.6 ounces).
You can easily spot a nacunda nighthawk because of its large size and big head. It also has a pale body with very dark, almost black, wingtips. These features make it stand out from other birds.
Unique Habits of the Nacunda Nighthawk
Most nightjars are active only at night, but the nacunda nighthawk is different. It often flies and hunts for food during the day too! Even though it's great at flying, this bird also spends a lot of time on the ground. It has longer legs than most other nightjars. This means you are more likely to see it standing up on the ground instead of just resting flat.
