Nechisar Nightjar
Encyclopedia
The 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
. After bringing back a single wing from the specimen to the Natural History Museum
in London, it was determined to be a previously unknown species. Its specific name, solala, means "only a wing".
Its natural habitat
is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland
; it is threatened by habitat loss.
A 2009 expedition, led by Ian Sinclair, to the area the wing was found located the nightjar on the first night they arrived on scene. The bird was easily distinguishable from the more common smaller nightjars in the area, being a large nightjar with huge white carpal parches and was seen several times in the next few nights. The specimen observed appeared to be a male, while the museum wing specimen had a more buffy carpal patch and appeared to be that of an immature or female bird.
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...
in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
.
The species was first discovered in 1990 when researchers discovered a decomposing specimen in the Nechisar National Park
Nechisar National Park
Nechisar National Park is one of the National Parks of Ethiopia. Located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region immediately to the east of Arba Minch, its 514 square kilometers of territory include the "Bridge of God" , and the Nechisar plains east of the lakes...
. After bringing back a single wing from the specimen to the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
in London, it was determined to be a previously unknown species. Its specific name, solala, means "only a wing".
Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
; it is threatened by habitat loss.
A 2009 expedition, led by Ian Sinclair, to the area the wing was found located the nightjar on the first night they arrived on scene. The bird was easily distinguishable from the more common smaller nightjars in the area, being a large nightjar with huge white carpal parches and was seen several times in the next few nights. The specimen observed appeared to be a male, while the museum wing specimen had a more buffy carpal patch and appeared to be that of an immature or female bird.