Caprimulgid Confusion

[Steven Mlodinow]

I've posted two of my pics of the Crow Valley nightjar at https://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/

To see the scap pattern of a Common Poorwill, gray with anchor shaped markings, go to

http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/Profiles/CommonPoorwill.htm

This photo also shows the throat and auriculars as being of the same color - blackish

To see the more prominent silvery scaps of a Eastern Whip-poor-will, with black blotches at tips go to

http://birds.audubon.org/birds/eastern-whip-poor-will

This also shows the browner auriculars contrasting with the black throat

It is hard to find good photos of undertails of either species, particularly Common Poorwills, so I find myself stymied as to that mark, but I really see little to make me think this bird is a Whip other than its peculiar habits.

Respectfully

Steve Mlodinow

Longmont CO