Jungle Nightjar
Caprimulgus indicus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="caprimulgus-indicus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium Caprimulgidae nightjar (~84 g) of forest and forest edges from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to Japan. Cryptically patterned grey-brown and buff. Calls with a 'chuck' note at dusk. Partially migratory; northern populations move south in winter. Feeds on large moths and beetles. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 36.4 cm | 14.3 in |
| Weight | 84.0 g | 2.96 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Brown and grey mottled with dark vermiculations; white throat patch; white wing spots across primaries; white outer tail spots in male; buff throat and tail spots in female; pale supercilium visible at close range.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Breeds in eastern Asia (India, China, Korea, Japan) south to Southeast Asia; northern populations winter in tropical Southeast Asia.
Diet & Feeding
Nocturnal aerial insectivore; catches moths, beetles, and flying insects over South and SE Asian forest.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 16-19 days. Fledging: 17 days.
Clutch Size
1-2
Sound
Song
Loud churring 'chuck-chuck-chuck-rrr'; repetitive with accelerating quality; calls from South Asian forest at dusk; hollow resonant tone; alarm a sharp 'chuck'
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) |
| Genus | Caprimulgus |
| Species | Caprimulgus indicus |
Distribution
Jungle Nightjar has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Caprimulgidae family