Nyctidromus is a genus of nightjars in the family Caprimulgidae. The species are widely distributed in Central and South America.

Nyctidromus
Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Strisores
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Subfamily: Caprimulginae
Genus: Nyctidromus
Gould, 1838
Type species
Nyctidromus derbyanus (pauraque)
Gould, 1838

Taxonomy

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The genus Nyctidromus was introduced in 1838 by the English ornithologist John Gould to accommodate his newly described Nyctidromus derbyanus.[1] This taxon is therefore the type species; it is now considered as a subspecies of the pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis (Gmelin) 1789.[2] The genus name combines the Ancient Greek nukti- meaning "nocturnal" or "night-" with -dromos meaning "-racer" (from trekhō "to run").[3]

The genus contains two species:[4]

References

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  1. ^ Gould, John (1838). Icones Avium, or figures and descriptions of new and interesting species of birds from various parts of the globe. Vol. Part 2. London: self. Plate 12 text (plates not numbered).
  2. ^ Peters, James Lee, ed. (1940). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 4. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 192.
  3. ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 277. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  4. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2022). "Frogmouths, Oilbird, potoos, nightjars". IOC World Bird List Version 12.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 7 July 2022.