- Nechisar Nightjar
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Nechisar Nightjar Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae Genus: Caprimulgus Species: C. solala Binomial name Caprimulgus solala
R.J. Safford, J.S. Ash, J.W. Duckworth, M.G. Telfer & C. Zewdie, 1995The Nechisar Nightjar (Caprimulgus solala) is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia.[1]
The species was first discovered in 1990 when researchers discovered a decomposing specimen in the Nechisar National Park.[1][2] After bringing back a single wing from the specimen to the Natural History Museum in London, it was determined to be a previously unknown species. Its specific name, solala, means "only a wing".[2]
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland; it is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
A 2009 expedition, led by Ian Sinclair, to the area the wing was found located the nightjar on the first night they arrived on scene. The bird was easily distinguishable from the more common smaller nightjars in the area, being a large nightjar with huge white carpal parches and was seen several times in the next few nights. The specimen observed appeared to be a male, while the museum wing specimen had a more buffy carpal patch and appeared to be that of an immature or female bird.[3]
References
- ^ a b c "Caprimulgus solala". BirdLife International 2008. 2009. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/150445/0/full. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b LeMoult, Craig (19 July 2009). "A Single Wing Starts Quest For Mystery Bird". Weekend Edition Sunday (NPR). http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106749870.
- ^ Africa Birds And Birding, Vol 14 No. 4, p. 58
External links
Categories:- IUCN Red List vulnerable species
- Caprimulgiformes stubs
- Birds of Ethiopia
- Caprimulgus
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