ROOST-SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMON POORWILLS, PHALAENOPTILUS-NUTTALLII, IN SASKATCHEWAN

To determine how vegetation and other characteristics of roost sites f or Common Poorwills, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, differed from those at randomly selected sites, we used radio-telemetry to track six individu als to day roosts which, with one exception, were different every day. Nine of the 10 variables we measured differed significantly between r oost and random sites. Poorwill roosts had significantly less green ve getation, less overhead cover, more bare ground, and were further away from tall objects than random sites. Our results are consistent with the prediction that roost sites would consist mostly of areas which li kely contrast less with poorwill's mottled brown plumage. Birds were r egularly found roosting against ''backing'' objects which we suggest s erve as shelter from wind, rain, or sun.