- Caprimulgus asiaticus
Identification
24cm. Variegated buff and brown plumage, plain tail, buff rear neck, and boldly marked shoulder feathers. It has a white patch on each wing. Like other nightjars, it has a wide gape, long wings, soft downy plumage and nocturnal habits. Its call is a loud repetitive chuk-chuk-chuk-chuk.
Distribution
Asia: India and Sri Lanka through south-east Asia to Indochina.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies are recognized[1].
- C. a. asiaticus - southeastern Pakistan and India east to western Myanmar, Thailand, and southern Indochina
- C. a. eidos - Sri Lanka
Habitat
Open woodland, scrub, and cultivation.
Behaviour
Nocturnal. No nest is made;2 marbled eggs are placed upon the bare ground; the brooding bird, sitting closely, is their best protection.
Diet includes moths.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2023) Indian Nightjar. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 November 2023 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Indian_Nightjar
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
