Least Nighthawk
Chordeiles pusillus
Small nightjar of savannas and dry forests, where it forages for insects with characteristic erratic flight like other nighthawks. Key field mark is contrasting pale trailing edge of wings. Often seen in large groups at dusk; when foraging with other species, Least is noticeably smaller. Least Nighthawks and related nighthawks are told from other nightjars by active foraging behavior. Roosts during the day on ground or in small savanna trees.
识别特征
The least nighthawk is 15 to 25 cm (5.9 to 9.8 in) long, making it one of the smallest species in family Caprimulgidae. Two females weighed 27.8 and 33.4 g (0.98 and 1.18 oz) The general plumage pattern is brown upperparts with gray, rufous, and buff spots, and whitish or buff underparts with brown bars. The throat has a narrow white patch or small white patches on either side of it. The four outermost primaries have a white band that is highly visible in flight. Males also have white tips on some other wing feathers. The subspecies vary in size, colors, and the extent of the barring on the underparts.
分类信息
Early in the 20th century the least nighthawk was assigned to its own genus, Nannochordeiles, but since the middle of the century has been included in Chordeiles. It has these six subspecies:<p>Two specimens from northeastern Argentina might represent a seventh subspecies.
- 学名
- Chordeiles pusillus
- 命名信息
- Gould, 1861
- 目
- Caprimulgiformes
- 科
- Caprimulgidae
- 属
- Chordeiles
分布与栖息地
The six subspecies of least nighthawk are distributed thus. The subspecies of the two records in Argentina has not been determined.<p>The least nighthawk typically inhabits open savanna or subtropical grassland, both cerrado and caatinga. In elevation it ranges from sea level up to about 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
Some populations of least nighthawk appear to be migratory but the data are inconclusive.<p>The least nighthawk is an aerial insectivore, taking prey of many insect orders. It hunts at dawn and late in dusk and tends to stay near the ground. It hunts in solitary, in pairs, or in small loose groups. Its flight has been described as "buoyant, quick, and erratic with many sudden shifts in direction".<p>Very little is known about the least nighthawk's breeding phenology. Its nesting season appears to vary within its range. It lays one egg directly on the ground.<p>The least nighthawk's flight call has been variously described as "a low churr and a weak nasal beep or week" and as "a short, sharp whit or bit". It sings from the ground or a bush, "a fast cur-cur-cur-curry (or chu-chu-chu-chu-chuEE).
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- stable
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
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Trochalopteron morrisonianum
Extraordinarily plumaged songbird with white facial markings that lend it an almost comical whiskered appearance. Brown overall, with accents of yellow, buff, purple, plum, blue, and orange throughout the plumage. Inhabits montane forest edge with dense shrubbery or grassy cover, but often emerges out onto roadsides and paths to forage, often crossing the road close to vehicles. Moves in noisy flocks or in pairs, giving soft contact calls and harsh rattling and whistling calls when alarmed. Song, a melodic tinkling, is simple but pleasant.
Sulphury Flycatcher
Tyrannopsis sulphurea
Medium-sized flycatcher with a plumage pattern—brownish above, yellow below—that recalls Tropical Kingbird, but Sulphury Flycatcher is much darker gray on the face and head and has a contrasting white throat. Inhabits a variety of forest types but is most common in flooded and edge habitats with many palms—especially common in Moriche palm stands in savanna regions. Generally sluggish; usually in pairs, which take inconspicuous perches and sally to surrounding vegetation for insects (unlike kingbirds, which sit on exposed perches and tend to catch insects from the air). Highly vocal; distinctive, loud calls have electric quality and are usually heard before birds are seen.
Townsend's Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
Sleek songbird, a bit smaller than robin and much slimmer. Overall plain medium-gray with short bill, rather long tail, white eyering, and buff patches in wings. Note upright posture and white eyering. Found at higher elevations in the breeding season. Drops into lowlands in the winter. Loves juniper. Song is complex; call is a single, ringing, bell-like note.
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