Papuan Nightjar Eurostopodus papuensis Scientific name definitions

25–27·5 cm; 80–81 g ­(female). Sexes similar. Upperparts brown speckled and barred greyish brown, cinnamon and rufous, broadly streaked blackish brown on crown; no nuchal collar; wing-coverts brown speckled, spotted and tipped tawny and buff; scapulars cinnamon-buff speckled greyish brown, boldly spotted blackish brown; large white throat patch ; underparts cinnamon-rufous barred brown, becoming buff barred brown on belly and flanks; both sexes lack white markings on wings and tail. Iris dark brown, bill brown to blackish (1 Holyoak, D. T. (2001). Nightjars and Their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ), legs and feet brown or blackish (1 Holyoak, D. T. (2001). Nightjars and Their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Juvenile similar to adult, though often slightly paler and more heavily spotted on head, with unspotted wing-coverts and unbarred underparts (1 Holyoak, D. T. (2001). Nightjars and Their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Similar E. archboldi is found only in montane forests (no altitudinal overlap) but larger E. mystacalis could occur sympatrically in winter (it has some white in primaries); Caprimulgus macrurus is most likely to be found in same areas, but has white in both wings and tail, is overall much paler, and has quite different song (1 Holyoak, D. T. (2001). Nightjars and Their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

Lowlands of New Guinea; also Salawati I (in W Papuan Is).

Presumed (1 Holyoak, D. T. (2001). Nightjars and Their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ) song of male is a rapid “coo-coo-coo-coo” lasting c. 7 seconds (1 Holyoak, D. T. (2001). Nightjars and Their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); calls include low, guttural chattering.

Poorly known. Possibly breeds Jun–Aug. Nest-site usually among undergrowth in small clearing; no nest, egg laid on bare ground or leaf litter. Clutch one egg, elliptical, pinkish-brown, heavily blotched dark and pale brown, with underlying grey patches, size 32 mm × 23·8–25 mm (1 Holyoak, D. T. (2001). Nightjars and Their Allies: The Caprimulgiformes. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); incubation apparently by female during day.

Not globally threatened. Widely distributed throughout lowlands, but generally appears to be rather scarce; not studied and no available data on population trends. Regularly recorded at Jalan Korea, near base of Cyclops Mts (Irian Jaya) and in Lakemaku Basin (Papua New Guinea).