The ocellated poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae.

It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Peru.

One extends from southern Colombia through eastern Ecuador and Peru into Bolivia and east into Amazonian Brazil.

The other is from southeastern Brazil west into eastern Paraguay and extreme northeastern Argentina.

N. o. lautus is found in the border area of eastern Honduras and northeastern Nicaragua and in northwestern Costa Rica.

The species mostly inhabits lowland forest having an open understory and small clearings.

The clutch of two eggs is laid directly on the ground or on leaf litter without a nest, usually below some kind of cover.