Nightjars
Potoos
Frogmouths
Oilbird
The Caprimulgiformes is an order of birds with a global presence except Antarctica. They are generally insectivorous and nocturnal e.g. the Nightjar. There are 4 families with 20 genres and 109 species. There classification has been difficult especially for the Nightjars. The Nightjar order is best limited to Potoos. Many produce sounds that are startling or strange that can be used to identify them. Birds from this species eat arthropods. When it comes to reproduction Birds from these species lay small clutches. Frogmouths and Potoos lay only one egg, Nightjars one or two and Oilbirds usually three. For conservation the Nightjar species is threatened by loss of habitats such as deforestation. With such concern the Nightjars may be endangered and may face extinction in the near future.
Systematics: The family tree of Caprimulgiformes is given below.
The classification of birds on this order has been difficult especially in the case of Nightjars. They were regarded on morphological grounds as between owls and swifts. Like owls they are nocturnal hunters with a highly developed sense of sight, and like swifts they are excellent flyers with small weak legs. At one time or the other they have been allied with owls, swifts, kingfishers and hummingbirds.
Reproduction, communication and conservation concerns: The birds typically lay eggs in small clutches. Frogmouths and potoos lay only one egg, nightjars one or two and oilbird usually three. Except for Oilbirds the others lay eggs directly onto the ground or on branches. There is some concern about some species. The reason is due to clearing of forests for farming and development. The Puerto Rican nightjar is critically endangered and has high risk of extinction. If proper steps are not taken then they might face extinction in the near future. Oilbirds move safely in dark caves by making clicking sounds. The reflection of the echo from the surface of the cave directs them. Birds in this order communicate with calls.
Bird Vocalization:
Nightjar: I found a link on youtube that shows the call of the nightjar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NokjoI2m900. The sound has a constant pitch at the beginning and then it goes up and comes back to its initial pitch. They sound like tup tup tup triii triii. The notes are fast and they make a clicking sound.
Potoo: A link for the potoo is http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=222936. Click on listen on the right to hear its vocalization. The potoo moans and growls throughout its vocalization. It sounds like tru tru grawww. There is a low pitch at the beginning and then the loud growl comes in.
Oilbird: A link for the oilbird is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ne00CWf6kc. The oilbird makes a sound that resembles a crow. The sound is shrill and harsh. The sound is like caw caw screech screech. The pitch is high and the sound is loud.
Reproduction:
Nightjar: Nightjars are mostly monogamous. Some species mate for life.They don't actually construct a nest like other species. They place their eggs on the ground on open soil and cover that with dead leaves. The female may lay one to two eggs that are whitish or creamy in color with brown or grey spots. Incubation of the eggs is undertaken by the female during daytime while both parents share the incubation at night. The incubation period is form 19-21 days.
Frogmouth: They breed from August to December. Frogmouths always rest in trees usually in the fork of horizontal branches. They lay 1 or 2 white eggs, which both parents incubate. The female usually does the incubation at night and the male at day. The young are are covered with down at hatching and remain in the nest until able to fly. The eggs hatch in about thirty days.
Conservation:
There is concern about some Caprimulgiforme species according to the World Conservation Union. They are threatened by loss of habitat such as clearing of forests for farming and development.
Nightjar: Conservation for some species of nightjars is very challenging as it is difficult to locate and identify the number of those species of birds The status of Puerto Rican nightjar is critically endangered. Disturbances that could threaten nightjars include tree cutting, road and utility construction, wild fires and grazing of domestic stock. About half of the current nightjar habitat is in protected public forests and the rest are lands adjacent to public forests which is privately held and susceptible to other uses. Other than man made threats there are animal threats such as the mongoose that may have played a critical role in eliminating nightjars in Puerto Rico. Dogs, cats and rats may also have adversely affected the nightjar habitat. The Puerto Rican nightjar was federally listed as endangered in 1973.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved a Puerto Rican Whip-poor-will (nightjar) Recovery Plan in 1984. The plan recommends research to gain knowledge of the population, range and natural history of the imperiled species, the cause of its decline, and potential threats to its survival. It also calls for protection of existing populations on both public and private lands, and education of the public against adverse habitat modification.
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. Nightjars usually nest on the ground. They are most active in the late evening and early morning or at night. They usually feed on large flying insects. They are camouflaged by their dead-leaf pattern. They are best identified by their voice.
Potoos are related to Nightjars and Frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores and they lack bristles found in the mouth of true nightjars. They sleep during the day and are perched vertically. Also, they are camouflaged to look like a tree stump during the day. Potoos are solitary creatures and are highly restricted nesters.
Frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds and are found from the Indian Subcontinent to Australia. They have large flattened hooked beaks which they use to capture insects. They have weak flight and are lethargic in their movement. Their wings are of moderate length. During the day they sleep with their heads up and their eyes closed. They are active after dusk and before dawn.
Potoos
Frogmouths
Oilbird
The Caprimulgiformes is an order of birds with a global presence except Antarctica. They are generally insectivorous and nocturnal e.g. the Nightjar. There are 4 families with 20 genres and 109 species. There classification has been difficult especially for the Nightjars. The Nightjar order is best limited to Potoos. Many produce sounds that are startling or strange that can be used to identify them. Birds from this species eat arthropods. When it comes to reproduction Birds from these species lay small clutches. Frogmouths and Potoos lay only one egg, Nightjars one or two and Oilbirds usually three. For conservation the Nightjar species is threatened by loss of habitats such as deforestation. With such concern the Nightjars may be endangered and may face extinction in the near future.
Systematics: The family tree of Caprimulgiformes is given below.
The classification of birds on this order has been difficult especially in the case of Nightjars. They were regarded on morphological grounds as between owls and swifts. Like owls they are nocturnal hunters with a highly developed sense of sight, and like swifts they are excellent flyers with small weak legs. At one time or the other they have been allied with owls, swifts, kingfishers and hummingbirds.
Reproduction, communication and conservation concerns: The birds typically lay eggs in small clutches. Frogmouths and potoos lay only one egg, nightjars one or two and oilbird usually three. Except for Oilbirds the others lay eggs directly onto the ground or on branches. There is some concern about some species. The reason is due to clearing of forests for farming and development. The Puerto Rican nightjar is critically endangered and has high risk of extinction. If proper steps are not taken then they might face extinction in the near future. Oilbirds move safely in dark caves by making clicking sounds. The reflection of the echo from the surface of the cave directs them. Birds in this order communicate with calls.
Bird Vocalization:
Nightjar: I found a link on youtube that shows the call of the nightjar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NokjoI2m900. The sound has a constant pitch at the beginning and then it goes up and comes back to its initial pitch. They sound like tup tup tup triii triii. The notes are fast and they make a clicking sound.
Potoo: A link for the potoo is http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=222936. Click on listen on the right to hear its vocalization. The potoo moans and growls throughout its vocalization. It sounds like tru tru grawww. There is a low pitch at the beginning and then the loud growl comes in.
Oilbird: A link for the oilbird is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ne00CWf6kc. The oilbird makes a sound that resembles a crow. The sound is shrill and harsh. The sound is like caw caw screech screech. The pitch is high and the sound is loud.
Reproduction:
Nightjar: Nightjars are mostly monogamous. Some species mate for life.They don't actually construct a nest like other species. They place their eggs on the ground on open soil and cover that with dead leaves. The female may lay one to two eggs that are whitish or creamy in color with brown or grey spots. Incubation of the eggs is undertaken by the female during daytime while both parents share the incubation at night. The incubation period is form 19-21 days.
Frogmouth: They breed from August to December. Frogmouths always rest in trees usually in the fork of horizontal branches. They lay 1 or 2 white eggs, which both parents incubate. The female usually does the incubation at night and the male at day. The young are are covered with down at hatching and remain in the nest until able to fly. The eggs hatch in about thirty days.
Conservation:
There is concern about some Caprimulgiforme species according to the World Conservation Union. They are threatened by loss of habitat such as clearing of forests for farming and development.
Nightjar: Conservation for some species of nightjars is very challenging as it is difficult to locate and identify the number of those species of birds The status of Puerto Rican nightjar is critically endangered. Disturbances that could threaten nightjars include tree cutting, road and utility construction, wild fires and grazing of domestic stock. About half of the current nightjar habitat is in protected public forests and the rest are lands adjacent to public forests which is privately held and susceptible to other uses. Other than man made threats there are animal threats such as the mongoose that may have played a critical role in eliminating nightjars in Puerto Rico. Dogs, cats and rats may also have adversely affected the nightjar habitat. The Puerto Rican nightjar was federally listed as endangered in 1973.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved a Puerto Rican Whip-poor-will (nightjar) Recovery Plan in 1984. The plan recommends research to gain knowledge of the population, range and natural history of the imperiled species, the cause of its decline, and potential threats to its survival. It also calls for protection of existing populations on both public and private lands, and education of the public against adverse habitat modification.
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| A Brazilian Nightjar |
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| Mother Nightjar who is watching over her nest from predators. |
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. Nightjars usually nest on the ground. They are most active in the late evening and early morning or at night. They usually feed on large flying insects. They are camouflaged by their dead-leaf pattern. They are best identified by their voice.
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| Great Potoo |
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| Common Potoo |
Potoos are related to Nightjars and Frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores and they lack bristles found in the mouth of true nightjars. They sleep during the day and are perched vertically. Also, they are camouflaged to look like a tree stump during the day. Potoos are solitary creatures and are highly restricted nesters.
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| Frogmouth and Chick |
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| Tawny Frogmouth |
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| Oilbird |
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| Oilbird |
Oilbirds are usually found in the Northern areas of South America. They are nocturnal feeders of Palm Oil. They are the only nocturnal fruit eating birds in the world. They use sound to travel at night like bats. It roosts and breeds in selective caves. They fly fast with primary tips widely spaced. but have the ability to fly slowly or even hover.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Britannica Online
Google Images
