Habitat
Closed canopy dry forest on limestone soils, composed mainly of semi-deciduous hardwood trees with abundant leaf litter and an open understorey. Also, at lower densities in dry, open, scrubby secondary growth, xeric or dry scrubland, open scrub-forest and thorny forest undergrowth. From sea-level - 620 m, but more commonly above 75 m.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 1,400 - 2,000 (2010).
Status EN
Habitat loss and degradation, especially from residential, industrial and recreational expansion, with concomitant increases in disturbance and fire risk is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
A sequence of emphatic whistles 'whip whip whip ...' (between 2-15 notes, males may also sing continuously for several minutes with up to 160 notes).
Puerto Rican Nightjar (Antrostomus noctitherus) [XC9413]
by Elias Aristides Elias from Guanica Forest, Puerto Rico (song)
Puerto Rican Nightjar (Antrostomus noctitherus) [XC5168]
by Paul van Els from Guanico State Forest (end of Route 333), Puerto Rico (song, partial song)
Subspecies
May form superspecies with Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus), with which formerly considered conspecific.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet