Papuan Nightjar
Eurostopodus papuensis
The Papuan Nightjar (Eurostopodus papuensis) is a legendary nightjars and nighthawk found in 2 countries, weighing about 80 g. The Papuan nightjar or Papuan eared-nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family of Caprimulgidae.
About the Papuan Nightjar
The Papuan nightjar or Papuan eared-nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family of Caprimulgidae. It is found in New Guinea and some surrounding islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. It is widespread, occurring across 1,210,000 km2, however its population is decreasing. Exact numbers are uncertain due to lack of data, but there is believed to be under 10,000 mature individuals. Its diet consists mainly of insects.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Papuan nightjar is between 28 and 35 cm long, weighting 0.11 kg (female) and 0.12 kg (male) with a wingspan of 55–65 cm. It has huge eyes, a white V on its throat, and is mottled brown and grey with specks of gold, made to mimic forest leaf litter. It is distinguished from other members of its family by a lack of white tail or wing markings.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in July. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Papuan Nightjar?
- The Papuan nightjar is between 28 and 35 cm long, weighting 0.11 kg (female) and 0.12 kg (male) with a wingspan of 55–65 cm. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Papuan Nightjar?
- The Papuan Nightjar is a medium sized bird weighing about 80 g.
- Where can you see a Papuan Nightjar?
- The Papuan Nightjar occurs in 2 countries, including Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
- What birds look similar to a Papuan Nightjar?
- The Papuan Nightjar is most easily confused with the Archbold's Nightjar, the Satanic Nightjar and the Solomons Nightjar.
- Is the Papuan Nightjar endangered?
- The Papuan Nightjar is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Papuan Nightjar for real
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