Named for its “poor will” call, Common Poorwill is a small nightjar with a large head, disproportionately large eyes, and very small bill. It hawks insects at night, often taking off from bare ground, and can be found on the edge of rural roads just before dark by looking for its eye-shine reflected by car headlights. It is not found east of the Mississippi.
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Common Poorwill
Oro Blanco Mine Road, Santa Cruz County, AZ
June 2, 2013 ©John Schwarz
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Common Poorwill – eyeshine in car headlights
Oro Blanco Mine Road, Santa Cruz County, AZ
June 2, 2013 ©John Schwarz