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Difference between revisions of "Montane Nightjar" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Montane_nightjar.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|nick+scarle|nick scarle}}<br />[[Bale Mountains National Park]], February 2007]]
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[[Image:Montane_nightjar.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|nick+scarle|nick scarle}}<br />[[Bale Mountains National Park]], [[Ethiopia]], February 2007]]
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'''Alternative names: Montane Nightjar<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>; Mountain Nightjar'''
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'''Includes Rwenzori Nightjar'''<br />
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'''Alternative names: Abyssinian Nightjar; Mountain Nightjar'''
 
;[[:Category:Caprimulgus|Caprimulgus]] poliocephalus
 
;[[:Category:Caprimulgus|Caprimulgus]] poliocephalus
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
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* Male with white spots on four outermost primaries, two outermost tail feathers generally white
 
* Male with white spots on four outermost primaries, two outermost tail feathers generally white
 
* Female with smaller white wing spots, edged or washed buff and less white in tail
 
* Female with smaller white wing spots, edged or washed buff and less white in tail
 +
* ssp from Central Africa (formerly regarded as full species) are darker and have smaller white wing spots and less white on outer tail feathers.
 
Immatures are paler than adults and often more rufous.
 
Immatures are paler than adults and often more rufous.
 
====Similar species====
 
====Similar species====
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Paler than [[Montane Nightjar]] and with larger white wing spots and more white on outer tail feathers. Also darker and browner than [[Fiery-necked Nightjar]] and [[Black-shouldered Nightjar]].
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Darker and browner than [[Fiery-necked Nightjar]].
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
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[[Africa]]: found from south-western [[Saudi Arabia]] to [[Ethiopia]], north-eastern [[Uganda]] and northern [[Tanzania]].<br />
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[[Africa]]: found from south-western [[Saudi Arabia]] to Eastern and Central [[Africa]] south to [[Zambia]].<br />
 
Locally common in its range.
 
Locally common in its range.
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
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This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species.<br />
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====Subspecies====
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Sometimes considered conspecific with [[Montane Nightjar]]. Forms with the latter a superspecies with [[Black-shouldered Nightjar]] and [[Fiery-necked Nightjar]]. The subspecies ''guttifer'' and ''koesteri'' (proposed subspecies) of [[Montane Nightjar]] are sometimes included in this species.
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Three to four subspecies are recognized which were formerly split into two species:<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>
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* ''C. p. poliocephalus''
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:*Ethiopia to northern [[Tanzania]], also southwest [[Saudi Arabia]]
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* ''C. p. ruwenzorii''
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:*Southwestern [[Uganda]] and eastern [[DRC]]
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* ''C. p. guttifer''
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:*[[Tanzania]], [[Malawi]] and [[Zambia]]
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* ''C. p. koesteri''
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:*Central [[Angola]]
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Formerly split into two species: Abyssinian (or Montane) Nightjar (''poliocephalus'') and Ruwenzori (or Montane) Nightjar (''ruwenzorii'', ''guttifer'' and ''koesteri''). Forms a superspecies with [[Fiery-necked Nightjar]].  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Forest edges and interior of different types of montane woodland and forest, also in large wooded suburban garden and rocky terrain with juniper forest.<br />
 
Forest edges and interior of different types of montane woodland and forest, also in large wooded suburban garden and rocky terrain with juniper forest.<br />
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Forages by hawking for prey above fields and pastures, in open woodlands and large suburban gardens. Has an extremely agile and rapid flight. Feeds also in insects attracted to artifical lights and fires.
 
Forages by hawking for prey above fields and pastures, in open woodlands and large suburban gardens. Has an extremely agile and rapid flight. Feeds also in insects attracted to artifical lights and fires.
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
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Poorly known. A [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monogamous]] and territorial species. Nests in small clearings at or near base of a tree or a bush. No nest built, the eggs are laid on bare ground or on leaf litter. Lays normally 2 eggs.
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Poorly known. A [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monogamous]] and territorial species. Nests in small clearings at or near base of a tree or a bush. No nest built, the eggs are laid on bare ground or on leaf litter. Lays normally 2 eggs.
 
====Movements====
 
====Movements====
 
Probably sedentary in Africa. May move to lower altitudes in winter in [[Saudi Arabia]].
 
Probably sedentary in Africa. May move to lower altitudes in winter in [[Saudi Arabia]].
 
==References==
 
==References==
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# Not to be confused with [[Montane Nightjar]], ''Caprimulgus ruwenzorii''.
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#{{Ref-Clements6thOct22}}#{{Ref-GillDonskerRasmussen22V13.1}}#{{Ref-HBWVol5}}
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}}#{{Ref-HBWVol5}}
 
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Caprimulgus+poliocephalus}}
 
{{GSearch|Caprimulgus+poliocephalus}}
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Caprimulgus]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Caprimulgus]]

Latest revision as of 20:40, 5 March 2023

Photo by nick scarle
Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, February 2007

Includes Rwenzori Nightjar
Alternative names: Abyssinian Nightjar; Mountain Nightjar

Caprimulgus poliocephalus

Identification

22-24 cm.

  • Greyish-brown upperparts streaked blackish-brown, broadly streaked on central crown
  • Broad buff or tawny-buff nuchal collar
  • Greyish-brown wing-coverts, speckled greyish-white and spotted pale buff
  • Blackish-brown scapulars, broadly edged buff
  • White throat patch and whitish submoustachial stripe
  • Greyish-brown underparts, speckled and spotted buff, greyish-white and cinnamon, becoming buff barred brown on belly and flanks
  • Male with white spots on four outermost primaries, two outermost tail feathers generally white
  • Female with smaller white wing spots, edged or washed buff and less white in tail
  • ssp from Central Africa (formerly regarded as full species) are darker and have smaller white wing spots and less white on outer tail feathers.

Immatures are paler than adults and often more rufous.

Similar species

Darker and browner than Fiery-necked Nightjar.

Distribution

Africa: found from south-western Saudi Arabia to Eastern and Central Africa south to Zambia.
Locally common in its range.

Taxonomy

Subspecies

Three to four subspecies are recognized which were formerly split into two species:[1]

  • C. p. poliocephalus
  • C. p. ruwenzorii
  • C. p. guttifer
  • C. p. koesteri

Formerly split into two species: Abyssinian (or Montane) Nightjar (poliocephalus) and Ruwenzori (or Montane) Nightjar (ruwenzorii, guttifer and koesteri). Forms a superspecies with Fiery-necked Nightjar.

Habitat

Forest edges and interior of different types of montane woodland and forest, also in large wooded suburban garden and rocky terrain with juniper forest.
Occurs at 1000-3350 m.

Behaviour

Diet

Feeds on moths, beetles and grasshoppers.
Forages by hawking for prey above fields and pastures, in open woodlands and large suburban gardens. Has an extremely agile and rapid flight. Feeds also in insects attracted to artifical lights and fires.

Breeding

Poorly known. A monogamous and territorial species. Nests in small clearings at or near base of a tree or a bush. No nest built, the eggs are laid on bare ground or on leaf litter. Lays normally 2 eggs.

Movements

Probably sedentary in Africa. May move to lower altitudes in winter in Saudi Arabia.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v 13.1)_red. Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.13.1. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
  3. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1999. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 5: Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334252

Recommended Citation

External Links

Retrieved from ‘https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/index.php?title=Montane_Nightjar&oldid=263207’
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