Systematics

Nyctiphrynus rosenbergi is monotypic.

Described as Caprimulgus rosenbergi (Hartert 1895); type locality Rio Dagua, Colombia.

Although rosenbergi was described as a species, Peters (1940) classified rosenbergi as a subspecies of the more widespread Nyctiphrynus ocellatus (Ocellated Poorwill). This classification was refuted by Robbins and Ridgely (1992), documented the distinctive vocalizations of rosenbergi, and who also reemphasized the plumage differences between these two species.

Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data (from both mitochondrial and nuclear genes) identifies three clades among New World caprimulgids: a nighthawk clade (Chordeiles, including Podager); a nightjar clade (Siphonorhis, Phalaenoptilus, Nyctiphrynus, and Anstrotomus); and a clade composed both of nighthawks and of nightjars (Han et al. 2010). Robbins and Ridgely (1992) and Ridgely and Greenfield (2001b) suggested that rosenbergi and ocellatus might not be sister taxa. This supposition as confirmed by Han et al. (2010): rosenbergi is sister to the rest of the genus, whereas ocellatus is sister to Nyctiphrynus yucatanicus (Yucatan Poorwill).