Kingdom Order Family Genus Species Animalia Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae Antrostomus Antrostomus noctitherus
The Puerto Rican Nightjar (Antrostomus noctitherus ) is an elusive 22-23 cm ground-nesting bird found only in dry, coastal forests of southwest Puerto Rico. Numbering just 1,400 to 2,000 mature individuals, this nocturnal insectivore is classified as Endangered .
Common Name(s) : Puerto Rican NightjarFamily : CaprimulgidaeBody Dimensions : 22–23 cmMale Plumage Color(s) : Black throat with thin white lineFemale Plumage Color(s) : Buff throatHabitat : Coastal Dry Forests of Puerto RicoDiet : InsectsNative Countries : Puerto RicoContinent(s) : North AmericaTaxonomy Classification Year : 1919Taxonomist(s) : Frank Alexander Wetmore
https://www.bioexplorer.net/file/Puerto-Rican-Nightjar.mp3
Puerto Rican Nightjar Facts
Rediscovered in 1961 after only bones and a single 1888 specimen were previously known, the Puerto Rican Nightjar remains extremely localized. Its cryptic brown, black, and gray plumage provides camouflage as it rests on leaf litter during the day before taking wing at dusk. Distinctive white tail spots and males’ black throats with thin white lines aid dim identification[1] . Nesting peaks April-June directly on the ground beneath dense canopies. The Puerto Rican Nightjar lays just 1-2 light brown eggs mottled with darker patches. Chicks hatch after 18-20 days and can fly at 2 weeks old . Like many ground-nesters, adults actively distract potential predators. Habitat loss Introduced predators, including small Indian mongooses and feral cats , further jeopardize the Puerto Rican Nightjar’s limited breeding sites and juvenile birds Conservation actions such as expanding protected forests, controlling public access during breeding months, and managing non-native predators could stabilize this Endangered species.
However, with an extremely localized population estimated as stable yet still small, the cryptic Puerto Rican Nightjar remains vulnerable to extinction
Cite This Page
Image Sources: ©[Mike Morel] via picryl.com | Rest are generated illustrations [1] – “Distribution – Puerto Rican Nightjar (Caprimulgus noctitherus) – Neotropical Birds” . Accessed December 26, 2023. Link .
