Caprimulgus
Encyclopedia
Caprimulgus is a large and very widespread genus
of nightjar
s, medium-sized nocturnal bird
s with long pointed wings, short legs and short bills. The name is derived from the Latin
for goatsucker, based on the ancient, but mistaken, belief that the European Nightjar
would suck milk from goats.
Caprimulgus nightjars are found around the world, and like other nightjars they usually nest on the ground. They are mostly active in the late evening and early morning or at night, and feed predominantly on moths and other large flying insects.
Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. Some species, unusually for birds, perch along a branch, rather than across it, which helps to conceal them during the day. Temperate species are strongly migratory
, wintering in the tropics.
Caprimulgus species have relatively long bills and rictal bristles. Many have repetitive and often mechanical songs.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of nightjar
Nightjar
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. They are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats . Some New World species are named as nighthawks...
s, medium-sized nocturnal bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s with long pointed wings, short legs and short bills. The name is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for goatsucker, based on the ancient, but mistaken, belief that the European Nightjar
European Nightjar
The European Nightjar, or just Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus, is the only representative of the nightjar family of birds in most of Europe and temperate Asia.- Habitat and distribution :...
would suck milk from goats.
Caprimulgus nightjars are found around the world, and like other nightjars they usually nest on the ground. They are mostly active in the late evening and early morning or at night, and feed predominantly on moths and other large flying insects.
Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. Some species, unusually for birds, perch along a branch, rather than across it, which helps to conceal them during the day. Temperate species are strongly migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, wintering in the tropics.
Caprimulgus species have relatively long bills and rictal bristles. Many have repetitive and often mechanical songs.
Species
- Chuck-will's-widowChuck-will's-widowThe Chuck-will's-widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis is a nocturnal bird of the nightjar family Caprimulgidae. It is found in the southeastern United States near swamps, rocky uplands, and pine woods...
Caprimulgus carolinensis - Rufous NightjarRufous NightjarThe Rufous Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.Its natural habitats are subtropical or...
, Caprimulgus rufus - Greater Antillean Nightjar, Caprimulgus cubanensis
- Hispaniolan NightjarHispaniolan NightjarThe Hispaniola Nightjar is a usually considered a subspecies of the Greater Antillean Nightjar.Some authorities consider it to be a distinct species. It is found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.-References:...
, Caprimulgus cubanesis ekmani
- Hispaniolan Nightjar
- Tawny-collared NightjarTawny-collared NightjarThe Tawny-collared Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Mexico and Nicaragua.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...
, Caprimulgus salvini - Yucatan NightjarYucatan NightjarThe Yucatan Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and possibly Honduras.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...
, Caprimulgus badius - Silky-tailed NightjarSilky-tailed NightjarThe Silky-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests....
, Caprimulgus sericocaudatus - Buff-collared NightjarBuff-collared NightjarThe Buff-collared Nightjar is a small sized nightjar. Adults are dark with brown, grey, black, and white patterning on the upperparts and breast. The tail is dark brown, with darker finely barred markings throughout. The male has large white outer tail tips on the 3 outermost tail feathers. ...
, Caprimulgus ridgwayi - Eastern Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus
- Mexican Whip-poor-willMexican Whip-poor-willThe Mexican Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus arizonae, is a medium-sized nightjar from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The Whip-poor-will is more often heard within its range, but less often seen...
, Caprimulgus arizonae - Puerto Rican NightjarPuerto Rican NightjarThe Puerto Rican Nightjar, Caprimulgus noctitherus, is a very rare bird found in the coastal dry scrub forests in localized areas of southwestern Puerto Rico....
, Caprimulgus noctitherus - Dusky NightjarDusky NightjarThe Dusky Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.-References:...
, Caprimulgus saturatus - Band-winged NightjarBand-winged NightjarThe Band-winged Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is widespread in South America, where found in the Andes, Venezuelan Coastal Range, Santa Marta Mountains, Tepuis, most of Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and eastern Brazil...
, Caprimulgus longirostris - White-winged NightjarWhite-winged NightjarThe White-winged Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland....
, Caprimulgus candicans - Pygmy NightjarPygmy NightjarThe Pygmy Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is endemic to Brazil.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...
, Caprimulgus hirundinaceus - Little NightjarLittle NightjarThe Little Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is found in woodland and other semi-open habitats in eastern, central and southern Brazil, eastern Peru, eastern and northern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina. It is fairly common in most of its range...
, Caprimulgus parvulus - Todd's NightjarTodd's NightjarThe Todd's Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is found in woodland and other semi-open habitats in northern Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana. The alternative name Santa Marta Nightjar after the Santa Marta Mountains is therefore misleading. It is fairly common in most...
, Caprimulgus heterurus; alternatively Santa Marta Nightjar. - Spot-tailed NightjarSpot-tailed NightjarThe Spot-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly Ecuador.Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical...
, Caprimulgus maculicaudus - White-tailed NightjarWhite-tailed NightjarThe White-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Aruba, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Martinique, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.Its natural habitats are subtropical or...
, Caprimulgus cayennensis - Anthony's Nightjar, Caprimulgus anthonyi
- Cayenne NightjarCayenne NightjarThe Cayenne Nightjar Caprimulgus maculosus is currently only known from a single specimen taken on the Fleuve Mana, French Guiana. A possible female was caught at the Saül airstrip, French Guiana....
, Caprimulgus maculosus - Blackish NightjarBlackish NightjarThe Blackish Nightjar is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family. This relatively small dark nightjar is found in the Guianas and the Amazon. It is rare or even absent in the western part, but is among the commonest nightjars in the eastern Amazon and the Guianas.-References:* BirdLife...
, Caprimulgus nigrescens - Roraiman NightjarRoraiman NightjarThe Roraiman Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is found in wooded habitats in the tepui highlands in northern Brazil, southern Venezuela and Guyana. It largely resembles the more widespread Blackish Nightjar.-References:* BirdLife International 2004....
, Caprimulgus whitelyi - Brown NightjarBrown NightjarThe Brown Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, and Liberia....
, Caprimulgus binotatus - Red-necked NightjarRed-necked NightjarThe Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis, is the largest of the nightjars occurring in Europe. It breeds in Iberia and north Africa, and winters in tropical west Africa.-Habitat:...
, Caprimulgus ruficollis - Jungle Nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus
- Grey NightjarGrey NightjarThe Jungle Nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus, is a species of nightjar found in India and Sri Lanka. It was formerly called the Grey Nightjar or Indian Jungle Nightjar and it included the East Asian Grey Nightjar The Jungle Nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus, is a species of nightjar found in India and Sri...
, Caprimulgus jotaka (sometimes included in C. indicus) - European NightjarEuropean NightjarThe European Nightjar, or just Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus, is the only representative of the nightjar family of birds in most of Europe and temperate Asia.- Habitat and distribution :...
, Caprimulgus europaeus - Sombre NightjarSombre NightjarThe Sombre Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
, Caprimulgus fraenatus - Rufous-cheeked NightjarRufous-cheeked NightjarThe Rufous-cheeked Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International...
, Caprimulgus rufigena - Egyptian NightjarEgyptian NightjarThe Egyptian Nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius, is a medium-small nightjar which occurs in south west Asia and north Africa, and winters in tropical Africa. It is a late migrant, seldom appearing before the end of April or beginning of May...
, Caprimulgus aegyptius - Nubian NightjarNubian NightjarThe Nubian Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Israel, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.-References:...
, Caprimulgus nubicus - Sykes's NightjarSykes's NightjarSykes's Nightjar or the Sindh Nightjar is a nightjar species found in South Asia.-References: Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern...
, Caprimulgus mahrattensis - Vaurie's NightjarVaurie's NightjarThe Vaurie's Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is endemic to China.Its natural habitat is cold desert.It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Caprimulgus centralasicus - Golden NightjarGolden NightjarThe Golden Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
, Caprimulgus eximius - Jerdon's NightjarJerdon's NightjarJerdon's Nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar species which is found in southern India and Sri Lanka. Formerly considered as a subspecies of the Long-tailed Nightjar it is best recognized by its distinctive call.-Taxonomy:...
Caprimulgus atripennis - Large-tailed NightjarLarge-tailed NightjarThe Large-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.Its natural habitats...
, Caprimulgus macrurus - Andaman NightjarAndaman NightjarThe Andaman Nightjar, Caprimulgus andamanicus, is a species of nightjar found in the Andaman Islands. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Large-tailed Nightjar, however the song and morphology are distinct....
, Caprimulgus andamanicus - Mees's NightjarMees's NightjarThe Mees's Nightjar Caprimulgus meesi is a member of the nightjar family described as new to science in 2004.It is a representative of the Large-tailed Nightjar complex found on Flores and Sumba, Indonesia...
, Caprimulgus meesi - Philippine NightjarPhilippine NightjarThe Philippine Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines....
, Caprimulgus manillensis - Sulawesi NightjarSulawesi NightjarThe Sulawesi Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is endemic to Indonesia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests....
, Caprimulgus celebensis - Donaldson Smith's Nightjar, Caprimulgus donaldsoni
- Black-shouldered NightjarBlack-shouldered NightjarThe Black-shouldered Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis - Fiery-necked NightjarFiery-necked NightjarThe Fiery-necked Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
, Caprimulgus pectoralis - Montane NightjarMontane NightjarThe Montane Nightjar or Mountain Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded...
, Caprimulgus poliocephalus - Ruwenzori NightjarRuwenzori NightjarThe Ruwenzori Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.-References:...
, Caprimulgus ruwenzorii - Indian NightjarIndian NightjarThe Indian Nightjar is a small nightjar which is a resident breeder in open lands across South Asia and Southeast Asia. Like most nightjars it is crepuscular and is best detected from its characteristic calls at dawn and dusk that have been likened to a stone skipping on a frozen lake - a series...
, Caprimulgus asiaticus - Madagascar NightjarMadagascar NightjarThe Madagascar Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, and Seychelles....
, Caprimulgus madagascariensis - Swamp NightjarSwamp NightjarThe Swamp Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
, Caprimulgus natalensis - Nechisar NightjarNechisar NightjarThe Nechisar Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia.The species was first discovered in 1990 when researchers discovered a decomposing specimen in the Nechisar National Park...
Caprimulgus solala - Plain NightjarPlain NightjarThe Plain Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger,...
, Caprimulgus inornatus - Star-spotted NightjarStar-spotted NightjarThe Star-spotted Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
, Caprimulgus stellatus - Savanna NightjarSavanna NightjarThe Savanna Nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis, is a species of nightjar found in South and Southeast Asia.-References: Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern...
, Caprimulgus affinis - Freckled NightjarFreckled NightjarThe Freckled Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia,...
, Caprimulgus tristigma - Bonaparte's Nightjar, Caprimulgus concretus
- Salvadori's NightjarSalvadori's NightjarThe Salvadori's Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is endemic to Indonesia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes....
, Caprimulgus pulchellus - Prigogine's NightjarPrigogine's NightjarThe Prigogine's Nightjar or Itombwe Nightjar, Caprimulgus prigoginei, is a nightjar which breeds in tropical central Africa. It is known from only one specimen taken in Zaire in February 1952....
, Caprimulgus prigoginei - Collared NightjarCollared NightjarThe Collared Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests....
, Caprimulgus enarratus - Bates's NightjarBates's NightjarThe Bates's Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Uganda.-References:...
, Caprimulgus batesi - Long-tailed NightjarLong-tailed NightjarThe Long-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
, Caprimulgus climacurus - Slender-tailed NightjarSlender-tailed NightjarThe Slender-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
, Caprimulgus clarus - Square-tailed NightjarSquare-tailed NightjarThe Square-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,...
, Caprimulgus fossii