Tschudi's nightjar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tschudi's nightjar |
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| Band-winged Nightjar (Caprimulgus longirostris) | |
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Systellura
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| Species: |
decussata
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Tschudi's nightjar or lesser band-winged nightjar (Systellura decussata) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Chile and Peru.
Contents
Taxonomy and systematics
Tschudi's nightjar was originally considered a species, then a subspecies of band-winged nightjar (Systellura longirostris), and since 2016 again is treated as a species. It also was assigned for a time to genus Caprimulgus. Its current position in genus Systella is not completely resolved; it shares the genus with the band-winged nightjar but does not seem to be closely related to it. It is monotypic.
Description
Tschudi's nightjar is 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) long. Males weigh 28.5 to 35 g (1.0 to 1.2 oz) and females about 32 g (1.1 oz). It is overall grayish brown with blackish speckles. The male has a broad tawny or cinnamon collar on the hindneck, a small white patch on the throat, white bands on the wing, and white bands and tips on the tail. The female's throat is buff, the bands on the wing are buff, and the tail usually has no white.
Distribution and habitat
Tschudi's nightjar is found along most of western Peru and extreme northern Chile. It inhabits the littoral and foothills in this arid landscape. It generally keeps to open country, clearings, and wooded edges though it is also found in urban areas including Lima, Peru. In Peru it ranges from sea level to 1,300 m (4,300 ft) but has been reported as high as 3,350 m (11,000 ft) in Chile.
Behavior
Feeding
Nothing is known about Tschudi's nightjar's diet or feeding behavior.
Breeding
The breeding season of Tschudi's nightjar is thought to be from November or earlier to January. Essentially nothing else is known about its breeding phenology.
Vocalization
Tschudi's nightjar's song is "a loud series of well-defined, but slightly buzzy 'cueeo' notes". Its alarm call is "a slightly squeaky-sounding 'wick'".
Status
The IUCN has assessed Tschudi's nightjar as being of Least Concern. It has a range estimated to be at least 200,000 km2 (77,000 sq mi), and though its population has not been quantified it is thought to be stable.
