Timor Nightjar

Caprimulgus ritae

Endemic to the islands of Timor, Wetar, and Alor, this little-known nightjar was only described in 2024. Inhabits forests and forest edges, where nocturnal habits and cryptic plumage make it difficult to see. Listen instead for its song, a series of hollow knocking notes: “tok-tok-tok-tok-tok-tok”, quite different from the buzzy “dzwee” of Savanna Nightjar, which overlaps in range but favors more open habitats. If seen well, note white throat and tips of undertail, as well as overall less diffuse patterning than Savanna Nightjar.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Caprimulgus ritae
Order
Caprimulgiformes
Family
Caprimulgidae
Genus
Caprimulgus

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Gray-chested Babbler

Gray-chested Babbler

Kakamega poliothorax

Unusual thrush-like bird with bright reddish-brown upperparts and gray underparts. Found in the understory of montane forest, often in thick and moist areas. Sometimes follows ant swarms. Generally very shy and difficult to see. Usually detected by song, a pretty series of pinched whistles; also gives quick series of agitated “jray” calls. Similar to illadopsises, but distinguished by the brighter back coloration and completely gray underparts.

White-throated Screech-Owl

White-throated Screech-Owl

Megascops albogularis

Large screech-owl found in temperate forests, typically from around 2,300–3,400 m. Quite dark brown overall with small pale spots and bars covering head, back, and wings. Belly is paler tawny with dark streaks. White throat patch is usually obvious. Sexes similar. Strictly nocturnal and thus more often heard than seen; listen for a fairly short and slow series of toots that descends in pitch, often given as a duet.

Damara Red-billed Hornbill

Damara Red-billed Hornbill

Tockus damarensis

Fairly small, slim, long-tailed hornbill. Note the red bill, dark eye, pale face, and heavily spotted back. White patches on the wing and outer tail are conspicuous in flight. Found in arid savanna, often in lusher woodland along dry riverbeds. Call is a series of clucks that starts with single notes, then becomes louder and more emphatic, with doubled notes. Has a small area of overlap with the very similar Southern Red-billed Hornbill in northern Namibia. Separated by the unstreaked white face and dark eye, though beware of hybrids. Somewhat like Monteiro’s Hornbill, but smaller and slimmer-billed, with bolder white spotting on the back.

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