Taxonomy and systematics
Major taxonomic systems recognize two subspecies of sand-colored nighthawk, the nominate ''Chordeiles rupestris rupestris'' and ''C. r. xylostictus''.Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved August 25, 2021HBW and BirdLife International (2020) ''Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world'' Version 5. Available at: http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v5_Dec20.zip xls zipped 1 MBretrieved May 27, 2021 However, at least two authors contend it is better treated asDescription
The sand-colored nighthawk is long. Its upperparts are pale grayish brown with darker brown streaks, bars, and spots. The chin and throat are white to buffy white, the breast grayish white with a cinnamon tinge and brown bars and spots, and the belly white with brown spots on its upper part. The underside of the wing is also mostly white.Whyland, N. (2020). Sand-colored Nighthawk (''Chordeiles rupestris''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.sacnig1.01 retrieved October 4, 2021Distribution and habitat
The nominate subspecies of sand-colored nighthawk is found widely in northwesternBehavior
The sand-colored nighthawk is crepuscular and nocturnal. During the day it roosts on river islands and sandbars, often in large numbers. In times of high water it will roost in trees overhanging the water.Feeding
The sand-colored nighthawk forages very actively at dusk and then on and off during the night. Its diet has not been studied in detail but is known to be entirely insects. Its flight has been described as less erratic than that of other nightjars, with an "oddly mechanical"" flapping that resembles that of terns.Breeding
The sand-colored nighhawk's breeding season spans from May through August in southeastern Peru and from June to September in central Brazil but has not been defined in the rest of its range. They nest in loose colonies, often near those of yellow-billed tern,Vocalization
The sand-colored nighthawk apparently seldom sings, but it does so from the ground, "a gurgling purr...interspersed with quiet throat-clearing sound and loud ''grawh'' notes." It also makes a variety of other vocalizations when chasing another bird or defending a nest.Status
The IUCN has assessed the sand-colored nighthawk as being of Least Concern. It has a very large range, and though its population is believed to be declining, the rate of decline is not thought to be fast enough for a more serious rating. No immediate threats have been identified.References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q29249 sand-coloured nighthawk Birds of the Colombian Amazon Birds of the Amazon Basin sand-coloured nighthawk Taxonomy articles created by Polbot