The male of this species has one of the longest tails in the animal kingdom relative to its body: the body measures about 25 to 30 cm and the male's outer tail feathers add another 27 to 36 cm, almost as much as the rest of the body. The plumage is brown with complex markings of black, ocher and white that camouflage the bird during the day on the ground. The female is much shorter. In flight at night, the male shows a white pattern on the wings and a scissor-shaped tail that make it unmistakable.
Behaviour
Nocturnal and crepuscular. It rests on the ground during the day among the leaf litter or on horizontal branches. At nightfall it flies at the edges of the woodland and grasslands catching insects on the wing, especially moths. The male performs display flights with its tail in a V.
How and when to see it
At nightfall and dawn on the tracks and woodland edges. At night a car's headlights can pick up the red reflection of its eyes on the ground.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where scissor-tailed nightjar has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where scissor-tailed nightjar lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameScissor-tailed Nightjar
- Scientific nameHydropsalis torquata
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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