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Nightjar at Lake Manyara, Tanzania (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter sirijay
- Start date
birdboybowley
Well-known member.....apparently so ;)
Square-tailed for me. Other contender was European, but the distinct buff-white tips on the coverts and secondaries preclude this species
It's certainly slender/square-tailed (check the white tail edge, and covert tips). You could convince me of either, though if slender with a shorter projection than sometimes. It's surprisingly dificult to see the extension when they're sitting down sometimes. Check some similar images here: http://www.tanzaniabirds.net/African_birds/Nightjar_slender-tailed/stnj.htm. From habitat I'd suggest slender-tailed, and I think I've only heard that around Manyara, but I'd expect both in the general area.
birdboybowley
Well-known member.....apparently so ;)
Ah, my fieldguide's map didn't really show ST around that area which is why I discounted it (although they're both bloody similar!).....but you'd know better than me TZ, being in-country!!
There are lots of names for that one - Gabon and Mozambique are both fairly commonly used. Caprimulgus fossii is the only certain name! The maps for most fieldguides in Tanzania are not always helpful (though just checked Stevenson and Fanshawe and I think I tend to agree with them this time). But we're very excited that the TZ Bird Atlas will soon be producing a draft paper copy for taking in the field - hopefully in time for the PAOC in Oct. Hurrah!
