Tschudi's nightjar

Tschudi's nightjar or lesser band-winged nightjar^[2] (Systellura decussata) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Chile and Peru.^[3]

Tschudi's nightjar
Band-winged Nightjar (Systellura longirostris)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Clade:	Strisores
Order:	Caprimulgiformes
Family:	Caprimulgidae
Genus:	Systellura
Species:	S. decussata
Binomial name
Systellura decussata (Tschudi, 1844)
Synonyms
Caprimulgus decussatus Caprimulgus longirostris decussatus Systellura longirostris decussata Quechuavis decussata

Taxonomy and systematics

Tschudi's nightjar has a complicated and unresolved taxonomic history. It was originally considered a species, then a subspecies of band-winged nightjar (Systellura longirostris), and then beginning in 2016 again treated as a species. For a time it was also assigned to genus Caprimulgus.^[4] As of late 2024 the International Ornithological Committee and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World retain it in Systellura.^[3][2] However, based on a study published in 2023, in late 2024 the Clements taxonomy and the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society moved it to the newly created monotypic genus Quechuavis.^[5][6][7]

Tschudi's nightjar has no subspecies.^[3]

Description

Tschudi's nightjar is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long. Males weigh 28.5 to 35 g (1.0 to 1.2 oz) and females about 32 g (1.1 oz). It is overall grayish brown with blackish speckles. The male has a broad tawny or cinnamon collar on the hindneck, a small white patch on the throat, white bands on the wing, and white bands and tips on the tail. The female's throat is buff, the bands on the wing are buff, and the tail usually has no white.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Tschudi's nightjar is found along most of western Peru and extreme northern Chile. It inhabits the littoral and foothills in this arid landscape. It generally keeps to open country, clearings, and wooded edges though it is also found in urban areas including Lima, Peru. In Peru it ranges from sea level to 1,300 m (4,300 ft) but has been reported as high as 3,350 m (11,000 ft) in Chile.^[4]

Behavior

Feeding

Nothing is known about Tschudi's nightjar's diet or feeding behavior.^[4]

Breeding

The breeding season of Tschudi's nightjar is thought to be from November or earlier to January. Essentially nothing else is known about its breeding biology.^[4]

Songs and calls Listen to Tschudi's nightjar on xeno-canto

Vocalization

Tschudi's nightjar's song is "a loud series of well-defined, but slightly buzzy 'cueeo' notes". Its alarm call is "a slightly squeaky-sounding 'wick'".^[4]

Status

The IUCN has assessed Tschudi's nightjar as being of Least Concern. It has a range estimated at 472,000 km² (182,000 sq mi), and though its population has not been quantified it is thought to be stable.^[1][4]