Hispaniolan nightjar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hispaniolan nightjar |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family: | Caprimulgidae |
| Genus: | Antrostomus |
| Species: |
A. ekmani
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| Binomial name | |
| Antrostomus ekmani (Lönnberg, 1929)
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The Hispaniolan nightjar (Antrostomus ekmani) is a special bird found only on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. This island is shared by two countries: the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Nightjars are known for being active at night.
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About the Hispaniolan Nightjar
Scientists group living things to understand them better. This is called taxonomy. The Hispaniolan nightjar was first named Antrostomus ekmani. Later, it was sometimes put into a different group called Caprimulgus, but now it's back in its own group, Antrostomus.
Most bird experts agree that the Hispaniolan nightjar is a unique species. However, some groups, like the American Ornithological Society, think it might be a type of Greater Antillean nightjar.
This bird is named after a Swedish scientist, Erik Leonard Ekman. He was the first to describe this bird in the 1800s.
What Does the Hispaniolan Nightjar Look Like?
The Hispaniolan nightjar is about 26 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches) long. Its top feathers are dark brown with small gray, pale, and grayish-brown spots. Its head has wide black stripes.
Its tail is brown. The three outer tail feathers have wide white tips for males and buff-colored tips for females. The inner tail feathers have grayish-brown V-shapes. Its wings are brown with lighter spots and patterns.
The bird's face is a reddish-brown color with dark brown spots. Its chin and throat are dark brown with cinnamon spots. The chest is dark brown with large buffy-white spots. Its belly and sides are dark brown with gray spots.
A similar bird, the Cuban nightjar from Isla de la Juventud, is smaller and darker. It also has a shorter tail than the Hispaniolan nightjar.
Where Does the Hispaniolan Nightjar Live?
The Hispaniolan nightjar lives only on the large island of Hispaniola. It is much more common in the western part of the Dominican Republic. It is very rare in Haiti, which is to the west of the Dominican Republic.
This bird mostly lives in broadleaf forests, which are forests with wide-leaved trees. It prefers middle elevations, not too low or too high. It avoids thorny bushes found at low elevations and pine forests found at higher elevations. You can find it up to about 1,825 meters (5,988 feet) high.
Hispaniolan Nightjar Behavior
How the Hispaniolan Nightjar Finds Food
The Hispaniolan nightjar is active during dusk and at night. It hunts for insects. It catches these insects while flying. Scientists are still learning if it catches them during continuous flight or by flying out from a perch or the ground.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Hispaniolan nightjars lay their eggs between April and July. They usually lay two eggs. They don't build a nest. Instead, they lay their eggs right on the ground. Both the male and female birds are thought to take turns sitting on the eggs to keep them warm.
What Does the Hispaniolan Nightjar Sound Like?
The song of the Hispaniolan nightjar is a bit rough and buzzy. It has one syllable. The sound starts with a click and then gets higher in pitch. When the bird is disturbed, it makes low, short calls that sound like "quat...quat...quat..."
Is the Hispaniolan Nightjar in Danger?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has looked at the Hispaniolan nightjar. They have assessed it as being of "Least Concern." This means it is not currently considered endangered.
We don't know exactly how many of these birds there are. However, scientists believe their population is stable. No immediate threats have been found. But, if their forest homes are destroyed, it would definitely affect them. Also, animals brought to the island by humans could be a danger to them.
See also
In Spanish: Chotacabras de la Española para niños
 | Percy Lavon Julian |
 | Katherine Johnson |
 | George Washington Carver |
 | Annie Easley |
