from east central Peru across central Brazil. There is also an isolated population in Suriname. H. t. furcifer is found from southern Peru through Boliva and across southern Brazil, and south to Paraguay, northern and central Argentina, and Uruguay. They inhabit open and semi-open landscapes such as second growth and arid scrub, grasslands, acacia groves, pastures, and urban parks. It can be seen along roads, especially those bordering sugar cane fields. In elevation it generally ranges from sea level to but is found as high as in Peru and in Bolivia. The northern populations of scissor-tailed nightjar are generally resident. The southerly ones are thought to be migratory, spending the austral winter in southern Amazonia. Behavior Feeding The scissor-tailed nightjar is nocturnal. If forages by sallying from the ground or a perch. It has been documented feeding on insects of at least twelve orders. It apparently favors beetles (Coleoptera), of which at least 13 families have been identified in its diet. During the day it roosts on the ground in shade. Breeding Male scissor-tailed nightjars perform a wing-clapping display. The species' nesting season has not been defined but appears to include at least September to December. They lay two eggs directly on the ground or even bare rock. Status The IUCN has assessed the scissor-tailed nightjar as being of Least Concern. It has a very large range, and though its population size is unknown it is believed to be stable. It is fairly common to common in most of its range and appears to tolerate human activity, even living in urban parks. References scissor-tailed nightjar Birds of Argentina Birds of Bolivia Birds of Brazil Birds of Paraguay Birds of Peru Birds of Uruguay scissor-tailed nightjar scissor-tailed nightjar Taxonomy articles created by Polbot