Savanna Nightjar
Caprimulgus affinis
Well-camouflaged nightbird, usually encountered roosting on gravel riverbeds, open areas in grasslands, rooftops, or roadsides. Sometimes found in small loose flocks when roosting. Fairly well adapted to urban life in some parts of its range and often found in towns and city edges. Intricately patterned gray-brown with less white than other nightjars; only males have a fairly small white patch on the wing near the tip. Most often detected by its distinctive, high-pitched, burry “chree-ik” song, repeated over and over.
Identification
Its length is about 25 cm (9.8 in), with a wingspan of 64 cm and a body weight of 54-110g. The upperparts are brownish-grey and vermiculated, with pale brown speckles. The underparts are brown, with bars. The savanna nightjar is nocturnal and is recognizable by its characteristic loud chirping calls, mainly given in flight during the evening. Their acoustic features change and can preadapt based upon their habitat.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus affinis
- Authority
- Horsfield, 1821
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
Its habitat is open forest and areas with scrub. However, it has recently moved gradually into the metropolitan areas of Taiwan, probably due to the absence of natural predators in that setting. Habitat loss is likely also a significant factor. Impacts of this relocation have included disturbed sleep for residents—due to male savanna nightjars' loud vocalizations at night from January to July—and collisions with aircraft. It is predicted to continue this habitat shift and expand its range into all major western Taiwanese cities.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Violet-eared Waxbill
Granatina granatina
A stunning long-tailed waxbill with a red bill, mauve cheeks, and a blue rump. The underparts are vibrant chestnut in the male and cream-buff in the female. Pairs are resident in arid thorn savanna and drier woodlands, where they forage on the ground and lower layers of scrub, often in the company of other finches. The species can be secretive, flying quite a distance when flushed. The Black-faced Waxbill is dark like Violet-eared Waxbill, but it has a red rump, a dark mask, and barred wings. The Purple Grenadier lacks mauve cheeks, and its range does not overlap.
Javan Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus montanus
An attractive, fierce-eyed babbler of tropical montane rainforest. Black head with thin, white eyebrow, white from the throat to mid-belly, contrasting strongly with remaining dark maroon body. Note the slightly decurved, yellow bill. Forages in noisy, small groups through the midstorey. Unmistakable if seen well. Calls variable, but commonly gives a soft “wu-tu” followed by a rising “whit!”, quickly repeated. Groups also give an excited chatter.
Flame-breasted Sunbird
Cinnyris solaris
Spectacular male shows glossy blue-green throat and forehead, diagnostic orange breast and belly, and olive back. Female is dull olive with muted yellow underparts and sometimes a yellow eyebrow. Juvenile is a grayer version of female. Singles and pairs inhabit relatively open country, including sparse woods, scrub, and plantations in the lowlands and low hills. Confined to the Lesser Sundas. Female usually duller yellow beneath than female Olive-backed Sunbird, and Flame-breasted sometimes lacks an eyebrow, which is always present in Olive-backed. Song is a series of high-pitched repeated see-sawing whistles, “witchi-witchew,” as well as upslurred “twee” and “tsew” call notes.
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