Caprimulgus
| Caprimulgus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Large-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family: | Caprimulgidae |
| Subfamily: | Caprimulginae |
| Genus: | Caprimulgus Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Species | |
|
40, see text. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Stenopsis | |
Caprimulgus is a large and very widespread genus of nightjars, medium-sized nocturnal birds with long pointed wings, short legs and short bills. Caprimulgus is derived from the Latin capra, "nanny goat", and mulgere, "to milk", referring to an old myth that nightjars suck milk from goats.[1] The common name "nightjar", first recorded in 1630, refers to the nocturnal habits of the bird, the second part of the name deriving from the distinctive churring song.[2]
Caprimulgus nightjars are found around the world, and like other nightjars they usually nest on the ground. They are mostly active in the late evening and early morning or at night, and feed predominantly on moths and other large flying insects.
Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. Some species, unusually for birds, perch along a branch, rather than across it, which helps to conceal them during the day. Temperate species are strongly migratory, wintering in the tropics.
Caprimulgus species have relatively long bills and rictal bristles. Many have repetitive and often mechanical songs.
Species
- Brown nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus
- Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
- Jungle nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus
- Grey nightjar, Caprimulgus jotaka (sometimes included in C. indicus)
- Palau nightjar, Caprimulgus phalaena
- European nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
- Sombre nightjar, Caprimulgus fraenatus
- Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
- Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
- Nubian nightjar, Caprimulgus nubicus
- Sykes's nightjar, Caprimulgus mahrattensis
- Vaurie's nightjar, Caprimulgus centralasicus
- Golden nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius
- Jerdon's nightjar Caprimulgus atripennis
- Large-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus
- Andaman nightjar, Caprimulgus andamanicus
- Mees's nightjar, Caprimulgus meesi
- Philippine nightjar, Caprimulgus manillensis
- Sulawesi nightjar, Caprimulgus celebensis
- Donaldson Smith's nightjar, Caprimulgus donaldsoni
- Black-shouldered nightjar, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
- Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
- Montane nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus
- Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
- Madagascan nightjar, Caprimulgus madagascariensis
- Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
- Nechisar nightjar Caprimulgus solala
- Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
- Star-spotted nightjar, Caprimulgus stellatus
- Savanna nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis
- Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
- Bonaparte's nightjar, Caprimulgus concretus
- Salvadori's nightjar, Caprimulgus pulchellus
- Prigogine's nightjar, Caprimulgus prigoginei
- Bates's nightjar, Caprimulgus batesi
- Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
- Slender-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus
- Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
- Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis
- Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius
References
- ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 90. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ^ "Nightjar". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)