Author Topic: Nightlife  (Read 671 times)

Snetiger

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Nightlife
« on: August 11, 2016, 18:51:58 »
This was a rare sight. I have seldom seen them but two nights in a row I have seen them at the same location. This one must be a juvenile.

Natravn (Caprimulgus europaeus) (juv.) by Jens N. Roved, on Flickr

From Wikipedia: "The European nightjar, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family that breeds across most of Europe and temperate Asia. The Latin generic name refers to the old myth that the nocturnal nightjar suckled goats, causing them to cease to give milk. The six subspecies differ clinally, the birds becoming smaller and paler towards the east of the range. All populations are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Their densely patterned grey and brown plumage makes individuals difficult to see in the daytime when they rest on the ground or perch motionless along a branch, although the male shows white patches in the wings and tail as he flies at night."

BW

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Re: Nightlife
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2016, 22:38:43 »
Nice photo of the nightjar. Definitely not a common sight wherever you are. They never appear on my latitude, but you must have keen eye for details :)

Snetiger

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Re: Nightlife
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2016, 00:13:16 »
Sometimes if you are out at dusk settling you can mistake them for bats. They fly much the same way catching insects. An LED flashlight was used to light this scene. :)

John Geerts

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Re: Nightlife
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2016, 08:35:11 »
Nice catch, Jens.

snowtiger

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Re: Nightlife
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2016, 22:33:57 »
Thank you!