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Caprimulgidae Collection

Caprimulgidae, commonly known as nightjars or goatsuckers, are a fascinating family of birds that inhabit various regions across the globe

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Caprimulgus europaeus, European nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus, European nightjar
Plate 1 from John Goulds The Birds of Great Britain, Vol. 2 (1873). Hand coloured lithograph

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Caprimulgus vociferus, whip-poor-will

Caprimulgus vociferus, whip-poor-will
Plate 82 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1827-30), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Red-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) on nest with eggs, Arcos de la Frontera

Red-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) on nest with eggs, Arcos de la Frontera, southern Spain, May

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Collared nightjar (Caprimulgus enarratus ) resting on the ground, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Collared nightjar (Caprimulgus enarratus ) resting on the ground, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) flying, Texas, USA

Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) flying, Texas, USA

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) flying, Arizona, USA

Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) flying, Arizona, USA

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Anthonys Nightjar (Nyctidromus anthonyi), Ecuador

Anthonys Nightjar (Nyctidromus anthonyi), Ecuador

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus), Ontario, Canada

Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus), Ontario, Canada

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Buff-collared Nightjar (Antrostomus ridgwayi), Arizona, USA

Buff-collared Nightjar (Antrostomus ridgwayi), Arizona, USA

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Chordeiles minor, Common nighthawk

Chordeiles minor, Common nighthawk
Alexander Wilson, American Ornithology, 1824. Hand-coloured engraving. Date: 1824

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Nightjar sp. Caprimulgua sp

Nightjar sp. Caprimulgua sp
Number 16 of 61 watercolour drawings of birds from the Himalaya Mountains in the collection of Lady Mary Bentinck. Artist unknown, date 1833, Library & Archives Z88 f BEN Date: 1833

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: White-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus cayennensis) adult, perched on branch at daytime roost, Tobago

White-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus cayennensis) adult, perched on branch at daytime roost, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, November

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens) adult male, standing on rocks, San Isidro

Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens) adult male, standing on rocks, San Isidro, Napo Province, Ecuador, February

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus) adult, close-up of head, Keoladeo Ghana N. P

Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus) adult, close-up of head, Keoladeo Ghana N. P
Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus) adult, close-up of head, Keoladeo Ghana N.P. (Bharatpur), Rajasthan, India, December

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: White-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus cayennensis) adult, perched on stick at night, Trinidad

White-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus cayennensis) adult, perched on stick at night, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, April

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) adult, roosting on sand in desert during daytime

Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) adult, roosting on sand in desert during daytime, Morocco, March

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Caprimulgus carolinensis, chuck-wills widow

Caprimulgus carolinensis, chuck-wills widow
Plate 52 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1827-30), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Caprimulgus aegyptius, egyptian nightjar

Caprimulgus aegyptius, egyptian nightjar
Egyptian nightjar egg specimens

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Caprimulgus mahrattensis, sykes nightjar

Caprimulgus mahrattensis, sykes nightjar
Sykes nightjar egg specimens

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Caprimulgus inornatus, plain nightjar

Caprimulgus inornatus, plain nightjar
Plain nightjar egg specimens

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Caprimulgus nubicus, nubian nightjar

Caprimulgus nubicus, nubian nightjar
Nubian nightar egg specimen

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) adult, sitting on ground at night

Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) adult, sitting on ground at night, Leopard Hills Game Reserve, Greater Kruger N.P. South Africa, May

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Scissor-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis torquata furcifera) adult male

Scissor-tailed Nightjar (Hydropsalis torquata furcifera) adult male, sitting on ground at daytime roost, Ceibas, Entre Rios, Argentina, october

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) adult, roosting on branch in tree, Costa Rica, february

Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) adult, roosting on branch in tree, Costa Rica, february

Background imageCaprimulgidae Collection: Rufous Nightjar (Caprimulgus rufus) adult, resting on ground at night, Rupununi, Guyana

Rufous Nightjar (Caprimulgus rufus) adult, resting on ground at night, Rupununi, Guyana


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Caprimulgidae, commonly known as nightjars or goatsuckers, are a fascinating family of birds that inhabit various regions across the globe. One such member is the Caprimulgus vociferus, also known as the whip-poor-will. With its distinctive call echoing through North American forests at dusk, this nocturnal species captures our attention. In Europe, we find another enchanting representative of this family - the Caprimulgus europaeus or European nightjar. Its cryptic plumage allows it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings during daytime roosts while revealing stunning patterns when in flight. Venturing further south to Arcos de la Frontera in Spain, we encounter the Red-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) diligently guarding its precious eggs on a nest. This sight reminds us of their vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations. Across continents and habitats, these captivating creatures continue to captivate us. The Chordeiles minor or Common nighthawk gracefully soars through Texan skies while displaying impressive aerial acrobatics. Meanwhile, the Collared nightjar (Caprimulgus enarratus) finds solace resting on the ground amidst Andasibe-Mantadia National Park's lush vegetation. The diversity within this family extends beyond specific species identification; sometimes even experts struggle to distinguish between them accurately. A mysterious Nightjar sp. , possibly belonging to Caprimulgua sp. , leaves us intrigued and eager for more discoveries. From Arizona's vast landscapes comes sightings of both Phalaenoptilus nuttallii and Antrostomus ridgwayi - respectively known as Common Poorwill and Buff-collared Nightjar. These remarkable birds showcase adaptability by thriving in arid environments where they hunt insects under moonlit nights. Further south into Ecuador lies Nyctidromus anthonyi or Anthonys Nightjar, a unique species endemic to the region.