The European nightjar, common goatsucker, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar, is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family that breeds across most of Europe and the Palearctic to Mongolia and Northwestern China. The Latin generic name refers to the old myth that the nocturnal nightjar suckled goats, causing them to cease to give milk. The six subspecies differ clinally, the birds becoming smaller and paler towards the east of the range. All populations are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Their densely patterned grey and brown plumage makes individuals difficult to see in the daytime when they rest on the ground or perch motionless along a branch, although the male shows white patches in the wings and tail as he flies at night. Source: Wikipedia
Citation:
Linnaeus, 1758
Reference:
Syst.Nat.ed.10 p.193
Protonym:
Caprimulgus europaeus
Avibase ID:
80D4B0FE7FF1D735
Avibase ID:
avibase-80D4B0FE
Short link:
https://avibase.ca/80D4B0FE
Taxonomic Serial Number:
TSN: 555569
Geographic range:
Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept:
Avibase taxonomic concepts (current): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 1] |
Clements 1st edition: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 1] |
Clements, version 2021: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 1] |
eBird version 2021: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 11.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 11.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 1] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 12.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 1] |
Peters' Check-list of the Birds: Caprimulgus europaeus [version 1] |
Peters' Check-list of the Birds (original): Caprimulgus europaeus [version 1] |
Peters' Check-list of the Birds (2nd edition): Caprimulgus europaeus [version 1] |
Taxonomic status:
Species status: full species
Your sightings
You must be logged in to view your sighting details. To register to myAvibase click here.
Other synonyms
Avibase has been visited 342,076,741 times since 24 June 2003. © Denis Lepage | Privacy policy