Montane Nightjar
Caprimulgus poliocephalus
Medium-sized typical nightjar, with a rufous collar. Both sexes have a small pale mark in the outer wing and a large one in the outer tail. The extent of these pale patches varies both geographically and between the sexes. Found in a variety of highland habitats, including forest clearings and edges, grasslands, cultivation, and heath. Call is a distinctive pair of high, tremulous whistles: “chwee-cheeew.” Similar to Fiery-necked Nightjar, but separated by higher-pitched voice, highland habitat, darker overall coloration, and weaker rufous collar.
Identification
The montane nightjar is a rather dark nightjar growing to a length of about 23 cm (9.1 in). It has somewhat tawny, blackish or chocolate brown dappled plumage. The male has white spots on its four main primaries and the outer edge of the tail is white. The female has buff-coloured spots on its primaries and less white on the tail. The call is a nasal ank-ank-ank, often followed by a high-pitched whistle piiiyu-pirrr, the first syllable descending and then rising, and the second syllable tremulous and descending.
Taxonomy
The Montane nightjar was originally described by the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell in 1840. He used the current binomial name Caprimulgus poliocephalus.<p>There are four subspecies:<p>The subspecies C. p. ruwenzorii was formerly sometimes treated as a separate species, the Ruwenzori nightjar. Although a molecular genetic study of these four nightjars has not been published, the results of the detailed measurement of museum specimens suggests that they should be considered as conspecific.
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus poliocephalus
- Authority
- Rüppell, 1840
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
The montane nightjar is native to Central and Eastern Africa. Its range includes Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. It occurs at altitudes between about 1,000 and 3,350 m (3,300 and 11,000 ft). Like other nightjars, it is nocturnal, feeding on moths and other large insects. It is mostly a forest bird, but is also found in plantations, cultivated areas near forests, and in well-wooded urban areas.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-capped Bulbul
Rubigula melanictera
Medium-sized greenish bird with a bright yellow underside and black head. Occurs in a variety of habitats, wherever there are trees, including forest, open woodlands, and gardens, in the lowlands and foothills. Usually encountered in pairs or small groups. Yellow throat and lack of black in the wing separates this species from Black-hooded Oriole. Unmarked, black head identifies Black-capped Bulbul from Yellow-eared and Yellow-browed Bulbuls. Song is series of warbling whistles, rising at the end, “wet-wet-wet-wer-wer-wer-weer.” Also gives churring calls.
Comoro Scops-Owl
Otus pauliani
Small compact owl with very small ear tufts that are often invisible. Rufous-brown on the underparts and dark brown on the back. Found in montane forest and along forest edge on the island of Grand Comoro. Fairly shy and wary. The vocalization is a quiet, repeated “pru” that is given at a rate of about two notes per second, sometimes for many minutes at a stretch. Easily identified, as the only other owl on Grand Comoro is the much larger Barn Owl.
Sulawesi White-eye
Zosterops consobrinorum
A small songbird with a bold white eye-ring, dark eyes, a green back and forehead, a yellow throat and base to undertail, and a white belly. Groups and pairs roam woods, forest edges and patches, gardens, cultivated spaces, and scrub. Confined to lowlands of southeast Sulawesi. Occurs at lower elevations than Warbling White-eye, and differs from it in the dark eye and green forehead. Separated from Lemon-bellied White-eye by the white belly. Gives a slow-paced, high-pitched descending tinkling song, “chi-chiwit-chit-cher-cher.” Also high “zit” notes.
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