Distribution

The distribution of Sickle-winged Nightjar is incompletely understood. It is reported from southeastern South America in northeastern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil (Collar et al. 1992, Bornschein et al 1996, Lowen et al. 1997, Kirwan et al. 1999, Mazar Barnett and Pearman 2001, Guyra Paraguay 2004). Perhaps also occurs in Uruguay, but there are no documented records from there (Cuello and Gerzenstein 1962, Collar et al. 1992, Olmos 2009). In Brazil it is reported north to the Distrito Federal and Minais Gerais (Collar et al. 1992, Kirwan et al. 1999), although there still are few records from this far north. Sickle-winged Nightjar usually is considered to be resident, but Pearman and Abadie (1995) and Mazar Barnett and Pearman (2001) suggest that it is largely if not entirely an austral migrant in Argentina, departing following breeding.

Sickle-winged Nightjar occurs in the lowlands, up to 1100 m (Parker et al. 1996).

Endemic to the Americas.

The habitat preferences of Sickle-winged Nightjar have been the subject of much discussion in the literature. Early reports indicated that this nightjar occupied the edges of marshes (e.g. Sick 1993), and it continues to be encountered in or near marshes (e.g. Bornschein et al. 1996, Lowen et al. 1997, Kirwan et al. 1999, Accordi 2001). Other observers, however, have found this nightjar in drier upland habitats such as gallery forest, monte (chaco woodland), and dry grasslands (Pearman and Abadie 1995, Kirwan et al. 1999). Pearman and Abadie (1995) suggest that the reports of an association with marshes were spurious, "due to the often close proximity of gallery forest and monte to marshland or grasslands".

None reported.

None reported.