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, C 1758
Reference:
Systema Naturae ed. 10
1 p.193
Protonym:
Caprimulgus europaeus
Type locality:
Europe, restricted type locality, Sweden, ex Fauna Suec.
Link:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/10277#page/213/mode/1up
Avibase ID:
D648523706523437
Avibase ID:
avibase-D6485237
Short link:
https://avibase.ca/D6485237
Taxonomic Serial Number:
TSN: 555569
Geographic range:
Authorities recognizing this taxonomic concept:
African Bird Club Checklist 2004: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
African Bird Club Checklist August 2005: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
African Bird Club Checklist March 2007: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
African Bird Club Checklist January 2008: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
African Bird Club Checklist May 2009: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
African Bird Club Checklist March 2010: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts (current): Eurasian Nightjar [excl. centralasicus] ( Caprimulgus europaeus [excl. centralasicus]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 2023 (May 2023): Eurasian Nightjar [excl. centralasicus] ( Caprimulgus europaeus [excl. centralasicus]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 2024 (Oct 2024): Eurasian Nightjar [excl. centralasicus] ( Caprimulgus europaeus [excl. centralasicus]) |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 01 (August 2013): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 02 (May 2014): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 03 (March 2015): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 04 (Aug 2016): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 05 (Jan 2017): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 06 (Feb 2018): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 07 (Feb 2020): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 08 (Feb 2021): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 00: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 01: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 02: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 03: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 04: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 05 (Jun 2012): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 05.1 (Oct 2012): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 06 (Nov 2013): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 06.1 (Feb 2014): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 07 (Jul 2014): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 08 (Oct 2015): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 09 (Dec 2016): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Birdlife checklist version 09.1 (Jun 2017): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v2 (Dec 2017): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v3 (Nov 2018): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v4 (Dec 2019): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v5 (Dec 2020): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v6 (Dec 2021): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
HBW and BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist v6b (Jul 2022): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
British Ornithologists' Union Checklist (7th edition): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
British Ornithologists' Union Checklist (7th edition, incl. Jan 2009 suppl.): Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) |
Commission internationale pour les noms français des oiseaux (1993, révision 2009): Engoulevent d'Europe ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Commission internationale pour les noms français des oiseaux (1993): Engoulevent d'Europe ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 3rd edition: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 4th edition: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 5th edition (as published): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2000 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2001 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2002 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2003 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2004 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 5th edition (incl. 2005 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (incl. 2007 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (incl. 2008 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (incl. 2009 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.5 incl. 2010 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.6 incl. 2011 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.7 incl. 2012 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.8 incl. 2013 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements 6th edition (version 6.9 incl. 2014 revisions): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements, version 2015: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements, version 2016: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements, version 2017: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements, version 2018: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Clements, version 2019: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 1.50: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 1.52: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 1.53: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 1.54: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 1.55: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 2015: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 2016: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 2017: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 2018: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
eBird version 2019: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 2nd edition: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 2nd edition (incl. ? suppl): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (as published): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 1.2): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 2.1): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 3.1): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 4): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 5): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 6): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 7): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 3rd edition (incl. corrigenda 8): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 4th edition (vol. 1-2): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Howard and Moore 4th edition (incl. corrigenda vol.1-2): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World (vol 1-16): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (31/01/2015): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (03/07/2017): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World and Birdlife (Dec 2017): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Handbook of the Birds of the World and Birdlife (Dec 2018): European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.0: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.5: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.6: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 1.7: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.0: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.3: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.4: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.5: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.6: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.7: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.8: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.9: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.10: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 2.11: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.3: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.4: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 3.5: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.3: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 4.4: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.3: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 5.4: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.3: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 6.4: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 7.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 7.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 7.3: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 8.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 8.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 9.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 9.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 10.1: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
IOC World Bird Names, version 10.2: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Morony, Bock and Farrand: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Oriental Bird Club: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Sibley and Monroe (1993): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Sibley and Monroe (1993, including corrections up to 1998): Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Sibley and Monroe, Birds of the World Version 2.0: Eurasian Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Working Group Avian Checklists, version 0.01: European Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europaeus) [version 2] |
Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Caprimulgus europaeus [version 2] |
Zoonomen - Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Caprimulgus europaeus [version 2] |
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Other synonyms
See also the taxonomic synonyms table.
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