Sulawesi Nightjar Caprimulgus celebensis Scientific name definitions

24–30 cm. Sexes similar. Upperparts greyish-brown streaked blackish-brown, broadly so on central crown, with no nuchal collar; lesser coverts dark brown speckled tawny and buff, rest of wing-coverts greyish-brown, boldly spotted buff, pale buff and tawny; scapulars blackish-brown edged buffish; white throat patch; underparts greyish-brown, speckled and spotted brown, greyish-white and buff, becoming buff barred brown on belly and flanks. Both sexes have white spot on second, third and fourth outermost primaries and white tips to two outermost tail feathers. Iris dark brown, bill blackish, legs and feet blackish. Differs from C. manillensis by whiter tips to two outermost tail feathers. Smaller and plainer than C. macrurus, with smaller white wing spots and narrower white tips to two outermost tail feathers in male. Paler and less spotted than Eurostopodus diabolicus, which has broad band around throat, smaller white wing spots and no white on tail. Race jungei has smaller white tips to two outermost tail feathers.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Typically, secondary forest, coastal bush and edges of mangroves. On Taliabu, lowland forest, including lightly logged areas.

None documented. Probably sedentary.

Poorly documented. Probably feeds on insects. Forages by hawking after prey in buoyant and agile flight.

Breeding habits not documented.

Not globally threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Sulawesi EBA and Banggai and Sula Islands EBA. Locally rare to fairly common in parts of N & E Sulawesi, but clearly under-recorded; only recently discovered on Buton I, where status uncertain; in Sula Is, reasonably common on Taliabu and uncommon on Mangole. Present in Tangkoko Nature Reserve (NE Sulawesi). Loss of habitat due to deforestation probably most serious threat throughout its range.