Donaldson Smith's Nightjar
Caprimulgus donaldsoni
A small, pretty nightjar with rufous tones in the plumage. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and at the corners of the tail. These are larger and whiter on males, and smaller and more buffy in females. Locally common in dry savanna and thornscrub. Smaller, more heavily patterned, and more rufous than other nightjars in its range, but most easily identified by voice. Distinctive call is a plaintive “chuu-we-cheo” that is quickly repeated, sometimes for a long time.
Identification
Donaldson Smith's nightjar (Caprimulgus donaldsoni) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. It was named in honor of the 19th-century American explorer Arthur Donaldson Smith.
Taxonomy
Genus: Caprimulgus; Family: Caprimulgidae; Order: Caprimulgiformes.
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus donaldsoni
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1895
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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