[order] CAPRIMULGIFORMES | [family] Caprimulgidae | [latin] Caprimulgus europaeus | [UK] Nightjar | [FR] Engoulevent d’Europe | [DE] Ziegenmelker | [ES] Chotacabra Gris de Europa | [NL] Nachtzwaluw
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Breeding Range | Breeding Range 2 | Non Breeding Range |
Physical charateristics
A nocturnal bird, often perches at its daytime roost along a tree branch. Medium-sized bird (L 27 cm), grey coloured with white patches on wing tip. Nightjars nest on sparsely vegetated ground, in heathland, woodland edges and clearings. Birds hunt for flying insects. Migrant.
Listen to the sound of Nightjar
[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/N/Nightjar.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 52 | cm | wingspan max.: | 59 | cm |
| size min.: | 24 | cm | size max.: | 28 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 17 | days | incubation max.: | 18 | days |
| fledging min.: | 16 | days | fledging max.: | 18 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 2 | ||
| eggs max.: | 3 |
Range
Eurasia : West, Central
Habitat
Essentially heathland birds, they require low, sparse vegetation in which to nest. For feeding, they will travel a fair distance to preferred heathlands, deciduous or mixed woodlands, orchards, riparian and freshwater habitats, and gardens.
Reproduction
Nightjars return from Africa in late April and May. Upon return, males attract a mate and establish a territory by calling. During courtship males fly around a female, often wing clapping or gliding with the tail spread out and wings held up. Nests are selected by males and are usually a shallow scrape on bare ground amongst heather or bracken. Eggs are laid between mid-May and mid- July. A typical clutch consists of 1-3 eggs, mainly 2, and if the first brood is produced early in the season, a second brood may be possible. Incubation lasts for 17-18 days and the fledge after 16-17 days.
Feeding habits
Nightjars hunt for insects on the wing at dusk and dawn, their agility allows them to perform rapid twists and turns in pursuit of their prey. Most of the diet consists of moths, flies, craneflies, beetles, and ants. Nightjars have an unusual serrated middle claw which they use to preen their feathers .
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Caprimulgus europaeus is a widespread summer visitor to much of Europe, which
constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is
large (>470,000 pairs), but underwent a moderate decline between 1970-1990.
Although many of these declines abated during 1990-2000, several populations-
notably the sizeable one in Turkey-suffered declines, and the species declined slightly
overall. Its population has clearly not yet recovered to the level that preceded the
initial decline.
This nightjar is breeding from Morocco, the Iberian Peninsula, the British Isles and southern Scandinavia to Mongolia and Pakistan. It is wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa. The population of the European Union is estimated at 100000-175000 breeding pairs, 80% of which inhabit Spain (Tucker & Heath). Despite these still large numbers, this species is undergoing since the end of last century a strong decline, especially in north-western Europe. The main reasons for this are habitat loss and use of pesticides
Caprimulgus europaeus is a widespread summer visitor to much of Europe, which
constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is
large (>470,000 pairs), but underwent a moderate decline between 1970-1990.
Although many of these declines abated during 1990-2000, several populations-
notably the sizeable one in Turkey-suffered declines, and the species declined slightly
overall. Its population has clearly not yet recovered to the level that preceded the
initial decline.
This nightjar is breeding from Morocco, the Iberian Peninsula, the British Isles and southern Scandinavia to Mongolia and Pakistan. It is wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa. The population of the European Union is estimated at 100000-175000 breeding pairs, 80% of which inhabit Spain (Tucker & Heath). Despite these still large numbers, this species is undergoing since the end of last century a strong decline, especially in north-western Europe. The main reasons for this are habitat loss and use of pesticides
Migration
Highly migratory. Nominate race leaves breeding grounds late Jul to Nov (mainly late Aug to Oct), W populations moving S on Broad front through Middle East (mid-Aug to early Dec) and E Africa. Winters mainly in E & S Africa, although small numbers may winter in W Africa. In spring, returning birds move N or NE, Mar-Jun, generally returning to breeding grounds Apr-May. Race meridionalis moves S on broad front across Mediterranean, N parts of Middle East and N Africa, and winters mainly in S and perhaps C Africa, though small numbers may winter in W Africa. Return movements probably at same time as nominate race. Race sarudnyi possibly winters mainly in E & SE Africa. In spring, moves NE through Arabian Peninsula, perhaps late Feb to May. Race unwini leaves breeding grounds possibly Aug-Sept and moves SE on broad front across Middle-East; winters mainly in E & SE Africa, although small numbers occasionally overwinter in Israel, Pakistan and possibly NW India. Return route in spring apparently farther N. After breeding, race plumipes moves SW on broad front and winters mainly in SE Africa. Race dementievi probably also winters in E & SE Africa. Vagrants recorded in Iceland, Faeroes, Azores, Madeira, Canary Is and Seychelles.
Distribution map
