| Swallow-tailed nightjar | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family: | Caprimulgidae |
| Genus: | Uropsalis |
| Species: | U. segmentata |
| Binomial name | |
| Uropsalis segmentata (Cassin, 1849) | |
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The swallow-tailed nightjar (Uropsalis segmentata) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. [2]
The swallow-tailed nightjar shares its genus with the lyre-tailed nightjar (Uropsalis lyra) and has two subspecies, the nominate U. s. segmentata and U. s. kalinowskii. The nominate was originally described as Hydropsalis segmentata and U. s. kalinowskii as a separate species, Macropsalis kalinowskii. [3] [2] [4] [5] [6]
The male swallow-tailed nightjar has extremely long outer tail feathers from which the species gets its name; the female's tail is much shorter and less graduated. The male is 66 cm (26 in) long including the tail streamers and weighs about 42 g (1.5 oz). The female is 23 cm (9.1 in) long and weighs about 43 g (1.5 oz). The upperparts of both sexes of the nominate subspecies are dark brown with many tawny spots. The tail is generally brown; the outer tail feathers of both sexes have white shafts and outer webs and the others have tawny bars and spots. The wings are brown to grayish brown with tawny spots. The chin and throat are dark brown with buff spots, the breast dark brown with tawny and buff scallops, and the belly and flanks buff with brown bars. U. s. kalinowskii has a somewhat shorter tail, the white on the outer feathers is barred rather than continuous, and the inner tail feathers have a whitish band near the tip. [6]
The swallow-tailed nightjar is a bird of the Andes. The nominate subspecies is found in Colombia and Ecuador and U. s. kalinowskii in Peru and Bolivia. In Colombia it is found in the Central and Eastern Andes, on the main Andes' west slope in northern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, and on the east slope for the entire length of Ecuador, most of Peru, and well into Bolivia. In Colombia it ranges from 2,500 to 3,500 m (8,200 to 11,500 ft) of elevation, in Peru from 2,000 to 3,600 m (6,600 to 11,800 ft), and in Bolivia from 2,000 to 3,400 m (6,600 to 11,200 ft). In Ecuador it is mostly found from 2,500 to 3,200 m (8,200 to 10,500 ft) but also as low as 2,100 m (6,900 ft) in Napo Province. The swallow-tailed nightjar typically inhabits elfin forest but also the edges of humid montane forest and openings with bamboo, grass, or shrubs. [6]
The swallow-tailed nightjar is crepuscular and nocturnal. It forages by sallying from the ground or a low perch and also during low continuous flight over open areas. It preys on insects, though details of its diet have not been studied. It roosts on the ground during the day. [6]
The swallow-tailed nightjar's breeding season has not been defined though it appears to include August and September. The one nest that has been described in detail was a depression in the ground lined with dried leaves and dead twigs and cntained one egg. (This contrasts with those of many other nightjars, which lay eggs on bare ground.) [6]
The swallow-tailed nightjar's song has been described as "unmistakable and beautiful ... a vibrating worr-r-r-e-e-e-e-e-r, at first sliding up, then dropping down", and is sung from the ground. It also makes "a liquid, rising pwip, and a musical mellow stuttered whistle when agitated". [6]
The IUCN has assessed the swallow-tailed nightjar as being of Least Concern. Though its population has not been quantified, it is believed stable. No immediate threats have been identified though deforestation might be in the future. [1] [6]
Anthony's nightjar, also known as the scrub nightjar, is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
The white-tailed nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in the "ABC Islands", Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Martinique, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.
The Cuban nightjar, is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to Cuba.
The Hispaniolan nightjar is a nightjar species endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The spot-tailed nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.
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The little nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
The rufous nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
The silky-tailed nightjar is a species of nightjar birds in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The scissor-tailed nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay.
The rufous-bellied nighthawk is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The lyre-tailed nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The long-tailed potoo is a species of bird in the family Nyctibiidae. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.
The chestnut-breasted wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
The grey-breasted wood wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found from Mexico to Bolivia.
The grey-mantled wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The buff-breasted wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in the Amazon Basin of northern Brazil and Amazonian Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and northern-border Bolivia, and also the Guianan countries of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. It occurs in non-Amazonian regions of Venezuela and Colombia and its range extends into eastern Panama.
The speckle-breasted wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Nothoprocta is a genus of birds belonging to the tinamou family Tinamidae. They inhabit scrubland, grassland and open woodland in western South America, particularly in the Andes. They are poor fliers and spend most of their time on the ground. Their diet includes seeds and insects. They nest on the ground, laying large glossy eggs. The eggs are covered with feathers when a potential predator is nearby.
The Amazonian trogon, is a near passerine bird in the family Trogonidae, the trogons and quetzals. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
