Collared Nightjar

Gactornis enarratus

Beautifully patterned cryptic nightjar. Found mainly inside of eastern and northern Madagascar rainforest, though very locally in dry forest. Most often seen when located by local guides, sleeping on the forest floor during the day, usually below a pandanus. Apparently completely silent, which is bizarre for a member of the nightjar family. When perched, distinguished from Madagascar Nightjar by its rufous collar; in flight, by its lack of white in the wings. 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Gactornis enarratus
Authority
(Gray, GR, 1871)
Order
Not a recognized species
Family
Not a recognized species
Genus
Gactornis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Asian Fairy-bluebird

Asian Fairy-bluebird

Irena puella

Chunky tree-dweller with blood-red eyes. Spectacular male is decked out in midnight black and electric blue. Female is dark turquoise with dark wingtips. Gathers at fruiting and flowering trees. A species of lowland and foothill evergreen forests, though will occasionally venture into gardens and plantations. Song includes various notes, often paired, such as “wit!” and “wi’wit!” Gives “tik” calls when flying overhead.

Black-capped Bulbul

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.

Scaly Chatterer

Scaly Chatterer

Argya aylmeri

An unusual slim babbler with a very long tail. Paler than most other babblers in range, gray-brown overall with scaling on the breast, a yellowish bill, and pale blue bare skin around the eye. Found in areas of dense undergrowth within dry thorn savanna and thorn scrub, almost always in small groups. Somewhat similar to other babblers, especially Rufous Chatterer, but much paler and generally found in drier habitat. An inconspicuous and skulking bird that is usually detected by call: quiet, high-pitched “tsit” notes that sound like a dry twig scraping on a windowpane. 

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