Nechisar nightjar

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nechisar nightjar
Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Swallow-like (Caprimulgiformes)
Family : Nightjar (Caprimulgidae)
Genre : Goat milker ( Caprimulgus )
Type : Nechisar nightjar
Scientific name
Caprimulgus solala
Safford , Ash , Duckworth , Telfer & Zewdie , 1995

The Nechisar nightjar ( Caprimulgus solala ) is an enigmatic species of bird found in the Nechisar National Park in Ethiopia . So far, it is only known from one grand piano that was discovered in 1990. It also relates consisting solus (= individual) and AlAs (= wing) composite type epitheton solala means the "single wing".

discovery

During a study in Nechisar National Park in September 1990, a decaying nightjar body, which was probably a few days to a week old, was discovered partially sunk in the bottom of a vehicle lane. Some other feathers were lost, but a complete left wing was found. This wing is the only basis for describing the species in 1995. This has sparked criticism on the grounds that the variability of certain characters, such as the size of the white wing field, was not sufficiently taken into account. The first writer rejected this criticism in 1997. However, both sides agreed that a DNA sequence analysis could provide information about the validity of this species. Despite the controversial view, the Nechisar nightjar is recognized as a valid species by both the International Ornithological Congress and BirdLife International .

features

Based on the wing length of 18.8 cm, the body length of the specimen, probably a male, is estimated to be 25 cm. The general appearance is unclear. Other remains of the carcass that were seen but not collected were feathers similar to those of the female flagged nightjar ( Caprimulgus vexillarius ). They were quite smooth, dark reddish-brown with white tips on at least two of the outer tail feathers. The wing is rounded. The outer hand swing feathers (P10, P9, P8, P7) are black-brown with two to four conspicuous wavy yellow-brown bands near the tip and conspicuous white or yellow-brown spots that can be found on the inside vane of the tenth hand swing pen as well as on the inside and outside flags of the seventh to ninth wrist springs are located about 100 mm from the wrist joint. The inner hand swing feathers (P1 to P6) and the arm swing feathers are blackish-brown with broader, chestnut-brown bands 4 to 5 mm wide, which become gray and wavy towards the tips. The alula and the hand covers are also maroon, as is the base of the arm covers. The upper wing covers are black-brown or dark sepia-colored, finely red-brown in color and with conspicuous, rounded spots on the tips. The under wing coverts are orange-yellow-brown or light reddish-brown with dark sepia-colored bands that are 4 mm wide.

Habitat and way of life

The wing was found on the Nechisar Plain. The plain is 1200 m above sea level, is completely treeless and consists of black lava soil covered with short grass. Nothing is known about the way of life.

status

The IUCN Red List of IUCN classifies the Nechsisar-nightjar in the category of "endangered" ( vulnerable ). The taxon's population status is unknown, but it is unlikely to be widespread or abundant. As a precaution, it is believed to be restricted to the Nechisar Plain, an isolated area with likely remaining habitat. There have been subsequent possible sightings, including some individuals of a large, reddish-brown nightjar with white tail corners and showy white wing panels, which were observed on the Nechisar Plains for three nights in April 2009.

The high resource consumption threatens the future of Nechisar National Park, including excessive grazing by livestock, rapid deforestation of trees for fuel and building materials for the growing town of Arba Minch nearby, as well as illegal fishing. This consumption of resources is reduced in the national park. In 1998 a fire caused by illegal settlers inside the national park caused considerable damage to an area of ​​approximately 12 km².

literature

  • Nigel Cleere , David Nurney : Nightjars: A Guide to Nightjars and Related Nightbirds , Mountfield, East Sussex: Pica Press, 1998
  • Vernon RL Head: The Rarest Bird in the World: The Search for the Nechisar Nightjar Pegasus Books, 2016. ISBN 978-1-60598-963-1
  • David Brewer: Birds new to Science. Fifty Years of Avian Discoveries , Christopher Helm, London, 2018. ISBN 978-1-4729-0628-1 . P. 98

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Safford, RJ, Ash, JS, Duckworth, JW, Telfer, MG & Zewdie, C. (1995): A new species of nightjar from Ethiopia. Ibis 137: 301-307.
  2. ^ Forero, MG & Tella, JL (1997): Sexual dimorphism, plumage variability and species determination in nightjars: the need for further examination of the Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala. Ibis 139 (2): 407-409.
  3. ^ Safford, RJ, Ash, JS & Duckworth, JW (1997): Reply to Forero and Tella. Sexual dimorphism, plumage variability and species determination in nightjars: the need for further examination of the Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala Saf. Ibis 139 (2): 410-411.
  4. ^ IOC World Bird List Version 8.1
  5. ↑ BirdLife International: Species Factsheet - Caprimulgus solala
  6. ↑ Caprimulgus solala in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017.3. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2018.