Archbold's Nightjar vs Long-trained Nightjar
Eurostopodus archboldi compared with Macropsalis forcipata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Archbold's Nightjar | Long-trained Nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eurostopodus archboldi | Macropsalis forcipata |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.0 cm (16.1 in) | 45.0 cm (17.7 in) |
| Weight | 77.0 g (2.72 oz) | 111.25 g (3.92 oz) |
| Diet | Aerial insectivore; catches moths and beetles in nocturnal flight over New Guinea montane forest. | Aerial insectivore; hawks moths and beetles in nocturnal flight over Atlantic Forest grassland and scrub. |
| Clutch Size | 1 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Archbold's Nightjar
Rarely recorded; presumed churring nocturnal song; low, resonant trilling typical of genus; vocalizations scarcely documented from highland New Guinea
Long-trained Nightjar
Loud, resonant 'chuck' or 'tuck' notes; hollow knocking quality; calls from Atlantic Forest edge at night; males perform aerial display; alarm a rapid staccato bark
Geographic Range & Migration
Archbold's Nightjar
Resident of montane forest in central New Guinea (Snow Mountains and Star Mountains) above 1,500 m; very poorly known.
Long-trained Nightjar
Endemic to southeastern Brazil (São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro); resident of Atlantic forest edge; vulnerable due to deforestation.
Conservation Status
Archbold's Nightjar
Long-trained Nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Archbold's Nightjar
Brown and dark grey with rufous-buff vermiculations; whitish throat patch; pale buff supercilium contrasts with darker crown; no white wing or tail patches; tail barred; New Guinea highlands; few records.
Long-trained Nightjar
Male with extremely elongated outer tail feathers forming long train up to 60 cm; dark brown with buff and rufous mottling; white throat; white wing bar. Female lacks elongated tail; …
About These Birds
Archbold's Nightjar
A small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~77 g) known from subalpine grasslands and forest margins in the interior mountains of New Guinea. Named after naturalist Richard Archbold. Cryptic brown-patterned plumage. Nocturnal insectivore. Infrequently observed; biology largely undescribed. Least Concern in its montane range.
Long-trained Nightjar
A large Caprimulgidae nightjar (~111 g) of subtropical Atlantic forest and open country in southeastern Brazil. Males have extraordinary forked tails extending far beyond body length. Inhabits forest edges and clearings in Atlantic Forest remnants. Feeds on moths and large insects. Least Concern; some decline with deforestation.