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.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

OTHER NAMES: Eurasian Nightjar, Nightjar

Latin Etymology: Caprimulgus ("goat sucker") europaeus ("European")

Two views of European Nightjar (subspecies C. e. europea) at Middlesex Filter Beds, London - September 2014

Featured Subspecies: Caprimulgus europaeus europea
Weight: 51-101g  /  Length: 24-28cm  /  Wingspan: 52-59cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

If I am honest, the Nightjar was a strong contender for the species I was least looking forward to tracking down.  It is highly crepuscular, incredibly well camouflaged and found on heath-land that isn't anywhere near my normal stomping grounds.  The sum total of which would be having to find a late running train-station near an appropriate heath-land or a lot of begging.  Neither appealed, and thus it was with great relief that this individual turned up in London for a few days, sleeping on a branch in a small city nature reserve.  While not going to give me any awards, this is a far better photo than I was ever expecting of this species which are normally only seen at dusk.  The benefit at least of species that rely on camouflage is that they aren't that bothered about people fairly nearby, including in this case, dog walkers and cyclists within 8 or so meters.

Related Species:
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Genus: Caprimulgus
Subspecies: C. e. europaeus, C. e. meridionalis, C. e. sarudnyi, C. e. unwini, C. e. plumipes, C. e. dementievi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and locally Summer breeding visitor (4500 pairs).

 - A single individual seen as a passage migrant/vagrant to Middlesex Filter Beds in September 2014.  Ordinarily not seen on passage.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto   .