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
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Bearded Scrub-Robin
Tychaedon quadrivirgata
Pretty robin with a brown back, boldly marked face, and unstreaked rufous chest. Found in broadleaved woodland, moist savanna, and thickets. Shy bird that generally skulks in thick undergrowth. Song is a variable, musical series of whistles. Certain two-noted phrases can be repeated many times. Similar to Red-backed Scrub-Robin, but lacks white wings bars, and shows a rufous breast without streaks.
Yellow-crowned Bishop
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Dumpy with a short tail. Breeding males are yellow apart from black throats, cheeks, belly, and wings. The female and nonbreeding male are similar; streaky and sparrowlike with a white eyebrow and throat. Found in wet areas with tall grass. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, now established in Iberia, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Gives dry, buzzing calls and a high-pitched “ts’ee”; breeding males also give an odd hissing song.
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