Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis cerviniceps resident western and southern Yunnan. BEHAVIOR Soars high above forest, its large size noticeable, its flight slower than other nightjars’ and more owl-like. ID & COMPARISON As well as being larger, is longer-tailed, longer-winged, and browner than other nightjars in China. Resting shows pronounced buff ear tufts. Crown grey-buffish, with fine blackish vermiculations; the light crown contrasting with black ear coverts and throat, which are barred rufous. Collar tawny-buff on nape, whitish-buff on throat; a second buff “collar” on upper breast. Upperparts and wings rufous-brown, black and buff with buff band along sides of mantle. Tail rufous-brown with golden-buff bands. Buff belly boldly barred black and brown, contrasts with dark upper breast and throat. No white markings in wing. BARE PARTS Bill pale with black tip; feet brown. VOICE Liquid, loud, two-note whistle, the second note longer than the first and descending; whistle (at close range) preceded by a short pit. — Craig Brelsford
THE NIGHTJARS OF CHINA
shanghaibirding.com covers all seven members of Caprimulgidae in China. Click any link:
Great Eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis
Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka
European Nightjar C. europaeus
Egyptian Nightjar C. aegyptius
Vaurie’s Nightjar C. centralasicus
Large-tailed Nightjar C. macrurus
Savanna Nightjar C. affinis
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
Be notified every time we post. Send an
email with “Subscribe” as the subject to
info@shanghaibirding.com
Donate to Shanghai Birding!
.