Caprimulgus concretus
The Bonaparte's Nightjar (Caprimulgus concretus) is a captivating nocturnal insectivore, known for its superb camouflage and cryptic habits, making it one of the most elusive birds of the Southeast Asian rainforests. Measuring approximately 19-22 cm in length with a relatively short tail, its plumage is a masterpiece of mottled browns, greys, and rufous tones, intricately streaked and spotted to blend seamlessly with leaf litter and tree bark. Key identification features include a distinctive...
Found primarily in lowland primary rainforests and mature secondary forests, often near clearings or rivers, typically below 1,000 meters elevation.
Feeds predominantly on flying insects such as moths, beetles, and crickets, captured during sustained aerial foraging flights.
The Bonaparte's Nightjar is a strictly nocturnal species, spending its days motionless on the forest floor or perched horizontally along low branches, its cryptic plumage providing exquisite camouflage. It emerges at dusk to forage, primarily as an aerial insectivore, sallying from a low perch to...
The Bonaparte's Nightjar is endemic to the Sunda biogeographical region of Southeast Asia, primarily restricted to the Malay Peninsula (specifically its southern reaches), the large islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and potentially a few smaller adjacent islands. Two subspecies are generally recogni...
Near Threatened
- Its scientific name, Caprimulgus concretus, directly translates to 'goat-sucker of concrete/solid color,' aptly describing its incredibly camouflaged plumage. - Like other nightjars, it possesses stiff, whisker-like rictal bristles around its mouth, thought to increase the surface area for catc...