Caprimulgus meesi
Mees's Nightjar (*Caprimulgus meesi*) is a relatively recently described nocturnal bird, endemic to a restricted range in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. Averaging 20-25 cm in length, its plumage is a masterclass in camouflage, a mottled tapestry of grey-browns, buffs, and black streaks that allows it to blend seamlessly with leaf litter and bark during its diurnal roost. Distinctive field marks include subtle white patches on the male's throat, wing primaries, and outer tail feathers,...
This species inhabits open woodlands, forest edges, savannas, and cultivated areas, typically at low to moderate elevations up to approximately 1000 meters.
The diet consists almost exclusively of aerial insects, including moths, beetles, and other flying invertebrates, captured skillfully in flight.
Mees's Nightjar is primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, emerging at dusk to forage and returning to its camouflaged roost by dawn. During the day, it rests motionless on the ground amidst leaf litter or perches inconspicuously on low branches, relying entirely on its cryptic plumage to avoid dete...
Mees's Nightjar is an insular endemic, strictly confined to the Lesser Sunda Islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Its primary distribution includes the islands of Sumba and Flores, where it is considered a resident species throughout the year. More recent observations have also confirmed its pr...
Least Concern
- Named after the esteemed Dutch ornithologist Gerlof F. Mees, acknowledging his significant contributions to Indonesian ornithology. - Was only formally described as a distinct species in 2004, highlighting how new bird species can still be discovered, even in relatively well-explored regions. -...