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The nightjars, Caprimulgidae, are a large family of mostly nocturnal insect-eating birds. The largest and most widespread genus is Caprimulgus, characterised by stiff bristles around the mouth, long pointed wings, a comb-like middle claw and patterned plumage. The males, and sometimes females, often have white markings in the wing or tail.
Crepuscular, a classification of animals that are active primarily during twilight, making them similar to nocturnal animals. Diurnality, plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night. Cathemeral, a classification of organisms with sporadic and random intervals of activity during the day or night.
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds in the family Caprimulgidae / ˌ k æ p r ɪ ˈ m ʌ l dʒ ɪ d iː / and order Caprimulgiformes, characterised by long wings, short legs, and very short bills. They are sometimes called bugeaters, [1] their primary source of food being insects.
The common name "nightjar", first recorded in 1630, refers to the nocturnal habits of the bird, the second part of the name deriving from the distinctive churring song. [1] Caprimulgus nightjars are found around Afro-Eurasia and Australasia, and like other nightjars they usually nest on the ground. They are mostly active in the late evening and ...
The fiery-necked nightjar belongs to the family Caprimulgidae which includes roughly 90 species of nightjars, nighthawks and their relatives. [2] These birds are all insectivorous and most active at dawn, dusk and over night. [2] In addition, a distinguishing feature of this family is the pectinate claw, which these birds use for preening. [6]
The common nighthawk is distinguished from other caprimulguids by its forked tail (includes a white bar in males); its long, unbarred, pointed wings with distinctive white patches; its lack of rictal bristles, and the key identifier – their unmistakable calls. [13] These birds range from 21 to 25 cm (8.3 to 9.8 in) in total length and from 51 ...
The eyes are large, even larger than those of nightjars. As in many species of nocturnal birds, they reflect the light of flashlights. [14] Their eyes, which could be conspicuous to potential predators during the day, have unusual slits in the lids, [15] which allow potoos to sense movement even when their eyes are closed.
The standard-winged nightjar (Caprimulgus longipennis) is a nocturnal bird in the nightjar family. Previously placed with the pennant-winged nightjar (Caprimulgus vexillarius) in their own genus, Macrodipteryx, it is native to Africa and displays extreme sexual dimorphism.