Gray Nightjar
Caprimulgus jotaka
Cryptic nightbird. Note silvery gray and brown coloration; intricate patterning more distinct than that of shorter-winged Savanna Nightjar. Roosts on the ground and in trees. Breeds in open areas within dense forests, as well as mountain ridges. Winters in similar habitat, but can also be found in more open areas such as forest edge and scrubland. Song is a long series of hollow “byuck” notes, like the firing of a cartoon laser gun.
Identification
Cryptic nightbird. Note silvery gray and brown coloration; intricate patterning more distinct than that of shorter-winged Savanna Nightjar. Roosts on the ground and in trees. Breeds in open areas within dense forests, as well as mountain ridges. Winters in similar habitat, but can also be found in more open areas such as forest edge and scrubland. Song is a long series of hollow “byuck” notes, like the firing of a cartoon laser gun.
Taxonomy
Genus: Caprimulgus; Family: Caprimulgidae; Order: Caprimulgiformes.
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus jotaka
- Authority
- Temminck & Schlegel, 1845
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
Breeding range: OR : Himalayas to e, se Asia. Non-breeding range: Indian subcontinent, se Asia s to Greater Sundas.
- Breeding range
- OR : Himalayas to e, se Asia
- Non-breeding range
- Indian subcontinent, se Asia s to Greater Sundas
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Halmahera Boobook
Ninox hypogramma
A brown owl with a rounded head, yellow eyes, and rufescent barred underparts. Inhabits forest in the lowlands and lower foothills, where it usually occurs in territorial pairs. Confined to the North Moluccas, where it overlaps with migrant Northern Boobook and Barking Owl, but can be separated from those species by its barred underparts and very different voice. Song is a gruff, abrupt, two-note frog-like “woo-wooo” with a slightly longer second note.
Gray-capped Cuckoo
Coccyzus lansbergi
Brightly-colored cuckoo found mainly west of the Andes. Combination of rufous-tawny body and gray separates it from other cuckoos in range. Nests in deciduous forest, dense scrub, and savanna at lower elevations. Outside of the breeding season, it disperses widely and can be seen far from its breeding areas, including at high elevations on rare occasions. Furtive and rarely comes out into the open for long. Song is short series of soft, guttural notes; also gives a harsh churr.
Collared Forest-Falcon
Micrastur semitorquatus
Large and lanky, but heard much more often than seen. Widespread in tropical forest, ranging into semi-open areas with larger trees; in West Mexico it even occurs up into pine-oak forest high in the mountains. Hunts from canopy to forest floor, but usually calls from high in trees. Note the long yellow legs and long rounded tail with narrow white bars. Adults are usually white below, with dark ‘sideburns,’ but can be buffy below, and very rarely are black overall. Immatures have variable dark barring below.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.