Engoulevent moustac

Identification

E. mystacalis is the largest Australian nightjar species and measures around 30–37 cm. Males and females are very similar in appearance and display a dark variegated body. The upper body and wings are greyish-brown with broad blackish-brown streaks and spots. The underbody is spotted brown or greyish white and barred rufous. The upper part of the wing is greyish-white but speckled brownish-black as well. Its neck is buff colored with a large white patch on either side of its throat making it appear as if it's wearing a collar. The four outermost primaries have a distinct white spot that help to differentiate it from similar looking nightjars. Its tail is brown with black speckles and absent of any white. The beak is greyish black and the legs are dark brown and short making travel on ground difficult for this bird.<p>When in flight, the wings are long, pointed and held above its head. This species bounces buoyantly while flying and takes frequent glides accompanied by a double wing beat.

Taxonomie

The white-throated nightjar was formally known as Eurstopodus albogularis but was later reclassified to E. mystacalis. Some texts may still refer to this species as Eurostopodus mystacalis albogularis. This species was regarded as a subspecies and conspecific with Eurostopodus exul and Eurostopodus nigripennis. However, later research separated the three into their own species based on differences in vocalizations and morphology. Since then, E. mystacalis has remained monotypic. <p>The genus name, Eurostopodus is derived from the Greek words eurostos meaning 'strong' and podos or pous meaning 'foot', while the species name mystacalis is derived from Latin and means 'moustache'.

Nom scientifique

Eurostopodus mystacalis

Autorité

(Temminck, 1826)

Ordre

Caprimulgiformes

Famille

Caprimulgidés

Genre

Eurostopodus

Répartition et habitat

The white-throated nightjar is a species endemic to eastern Australia. Birds reside in northeast Australia throughout the year and travel to the south to breed. Specifically, their breeding range is in Australia east of the Great Dividing Range, New Caledonia, or the Solomon Islands. Birds are most abundantly found in New South Wales and Queensland. During the winter, birds migrate from February until April to Papua New Guinea as non-breeding visitors. Although most overwinter outside of Australia, there are birds that remain in north and central Queensland all year long.<p>This species is able inhabit a wide variety of habitats but is most commonly found in dry low-elevation forests. They prefer to nest and roost in dry sclerophyll woodlands with sparse and discontinuous understory. Many individuals have been found to specifically live in woodlands that have experienced disturbances such as forest fires. In New South Wales, birds have been found inhabiting the edges of rainforests and mangroves. Those that winter in New Guinea occur in savannas, open grasslands, forest edges, marshlands and gardens. Wintering birds may also be found along the beaches of the Solomon Islands.

Aire de reproduction

AU : ne Cape York Pen., ne QLD to sc VIC (e Australia)

Aire hors reproduction

New Guinea (except nw)

Migration

Migrateurs complets

Comportement

Mode de migration: Migrateurs complets.

Conservation

Tendance de la population: en déclin.

Tendance de la population

en déclin