This little nightjar is slightly smaller and shorter-tailed than the similar Whip-poor-will. The bird gets its name from the buffy collar that completely surrounds the neck. On males, the front portion of the collar is white. Plumage is grayish overall, with black, brown, and buff barring and spotting, and rufous barring on the wings. Male shows extensive white on outer tail feathers. Female has narrow buffy tips to tail feathers. In flight, the wings are rounded.

Length: 22 (cm) Wingspan: 38 (cm)

Habitat:

Dry canyons with shrubby thickets.

Behavior:

Crepuscular, sleeping most of the day and then becoming active at dusk.

Feeding:

Hunts from perch or from the ground at night. Captures flying insects on the wing.