Indian nightjar
| Indian Nightjar | |
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| Indian Nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus | |
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| Species: | C. asiaticus
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| Binomial name | |
| Caprimulgus asiaticus Latham, 1790
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The Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus) is a small nightjar which is a resident breeder in open lands across South Asia and Southeast Asia. Like most nightjars it is crepuscular and is best detected from its characteristic calls at dawn and dusk that have been likened to a stone skipping on a frozen lake - a series of clicks that become shorter and more rapid. They are sometimes spotted on roads when their eyes gleam red in the spotlight of a vehicle. There is considerable plumage variation across its range and can be hard to differentiate from other nightjars in the region especially in the field.
Description
This nightjar is small and short-tailed with white corners to the tail, a golden nape and collar, dark cheeks and white patches on the sides of the throat. The crown is grey and the breast is finely barred in brown. The males have more white on the tail while the female is more heavily streaked on the crown. Differentiated from Sykes's Nightjar by the dark undertail and from Jerdon's Nightjar by the shorter tail and white patches on the sides of the throat.[2]
The call is distinctive and has been likened to a stone skipped on a frozen lake or a ping-pong ball bouncing rapidly and coming to rest.[2]
It flies after sundown with an easy, silent moth-like flight. During the day, Indian Nightjar lies still on the ground, concealed by its plumage; it is then difficult to detect, blending in with the soil.
Taxonomy and systematics
The populations show clinal variation with paler plumage in the dry zone of northwestern India. The population of Sri Lanka is named eidos and is dark and grey overall. In northwestern India, subspecies gurgaoni is very pale sandy buff with nominate populations of Peninsular India showing considerable variation.[2]
Habitat and distribution
The species is found in open woodland, scrub, and cultivation. It usually sits on the ground or low trees and is not found on high perches.
The species is found from northwestern India and adjoining parts of Pakistan but not found in the arid desert region. It is found south of the Himalayas in the low elevations east to Bangladesh, Myanmar and Vietnam. It is also found in Sri Lanka.
No nest is made; the two beautifully marbled creamy pink eggs are placed upon the bare ground during February to September; the brooding bird, sitting closely, is well camouflaged. Eggs may be moved short distances.[3] The newly hatched chick is covered in down with brown above and light rufous below. The eye is open on hatching and the chick can sit upright and make a weak sound.[4]
This common species frequently rests on roads during the night, sometimes capturing insects under street lights.[5] Their bright reflective eye-shine makes them easy to spot in the beams of vehicle headlights. They may however be stunned by bright lights and are frequent victim to traffic.[6]
References
- ^ Template:IUCN
- ^ a b c Rasmussen PC & JC Anderson (2005). Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Volume 2. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. pp. 254–255.
- ^ Barnes, Alice D (1937). "Breeding of the Little Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus asiaticus in the Chingleput District". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 39 (4): 865–867.
- ^ Lamba, BS (1967). "Nestling of Common Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus Latham)". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 64 (1): 110–111.
- ^ Bharos,AMK (1992). "Feeding by Common Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus and Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis in the light of mercury vapour lamps". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 89 (1): 124.
- ^ Saxena, R. (1992). "Mortality rate in Common Indian Nightjar in road accidents". Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 32 (9–10): 17.
