A global community of nature enthusiasts
photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Adult Description Medium-sized bird. Large-headed with a tiny bill. Tiny feet (rarely seen). Very well camouflaged, colored in browns, black, and gray. In flight, short rounded wings. Short, rounded tail. White band across throat.
Dry hills, open brush. Various kinds of open dry terrain at low elevation in the west, including rocky mesas with scattered shrubs, washes and hills in Sonoran desert, scrubby areas in dry open pine forest. May be found in open grassland, but usually only around rocky outcrops.
We found him on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail above City Creek. it was sitting near a bench next to the path! It was very docile
Spotted on Jun 2, 2015
Submitted on Jun 2, 2015
7 Comments
The little guy was in the middle of a hiking path so we picked it up to move it. I think it liked the shade of my hiking partners leg actually! We moved it back under the park bench that we found it next to.
So cool, Cynthia! It looks pretty scared (in that first picture)
Jellis- you are probably right. I didn't like the range of the Mexican poor will for where I found it. The common is in my range. I will investigate more in the morning. Thanks!
Looks more like a Common Poorwill. Mexican one doesn't seem to have the obvious white throat.
So cute!!
thanks - we werent sure what was going on with this little guy - he was near a park bench on the ground. I have never seen one before so want even sure what it was .
Great find!