Wednesday 6 March 2019

Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Caprimulgus ("goat sucker") macrurus ("long-tailed")
Adult Large-tailed Nightjar (subspecies C. m. bimaculatus) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Caprimulgus macrurus bimaculatus
Weight: 55-78g  /  Length: 25-29cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread and fairly common species of Nightjar in Southern and South East Asia.  They are far more abundant than equivalent species in Europe, and can be found in human settled habitat.  In Malaysia, their local name translates to "graveyard bird", a title which I find appeallingly gothic, although it is merely because they tend to often live in graveyards.  I initially encountered this bird while hearing a bizarre, almost electronic sounding "pyonk pyonk" call repeating from the tree tops during an evening walk.  After returning to the spot a little later, I was able to record the call to confirm the ID and very faintly see one moving onto an exposed branch.

Related Species:
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Genus: Caprimulgus
SUBSPECIES: C. m. albonatatus, C. m. bimaculatus, C. m. johnsoni, C. m. salvadorii, C. m. macrurus, C. m. schlegelii 

 - Sighting Locations -
SINGAPORE - Common resident
 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: One seen and several heard at Ang Mo Kio after dark.

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