Ethiopia--Awash NP nightjars

jstanleyg · Monday 11th February 2019, 08:58

Hello, I was in Awash NP in Ethiopia's rift valley yesterday and the day before. We did a bit of night birding, and ran into a tour guide who was showing his clients two separate nightjars. He ID'd them as Star-spotted (first two photos) and Nubian (second two photos).

I've been looking at my guide and the photos and I highly doubt that we saw a Star-spotted. I'm not an expert at nightjar identification to be sure, but I'm not even sure they are separate species, though the first bird does look darker overall than the second. The patterning is very similar between the two birds. The second bird seems to have longer primary projection, but that could be a result of two different camera angles. Nubian looks like a possibility as well as European nightjar.

What do you think? Are they two separate species and which species do you think they are?

Thanks!

arcadillor · Monday 11th February 2019, 09:50

both slender tailed nightjar

jstanleyg · Monday 11th February 2019, 11:23

Yes, thank you! I just compared to other photos of Slender-tailed, and that looks right. I wonder if I should email this tour company or just leave it alone. :P

Richard Prior · Monday 11th February 2019, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstanleyg

Yes, thank you! I just compared to other photos of Slender-tailed, and that looks right. I wonder if I should email this tour company or just leave it alone. :P

I think that any reputable tour company would appreciate your input JSG.

Monday 11th February 2019, 08:58	#1
jstanleyg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Posts: 306	Ethiopia--Awash NP nightjars Hello, I was in Awash NP in Ethiopia's rift valley yesterday and the day before. We did a bit of night birding, and ran into a tour guide who was showing his clients two separate nightjars. He ID'd them as Star-spotted (first two photos) and Nubian (second two photos). I've been looking at my guide and the photos and I highly doubt that we saw a Star-spotted. I'm not an expert at nightjar identification to be sure, but I'm not even sure they are separate species, though the first bird does look darker overall than the second. The patterning is very similar between the two birds. The second bird seems to have longer primary projection, but that could be a result of two different camera angles. Nubian looks like a possibility as well as European nightjar. What do you think? Are they two separate species and which species do you think they are? Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

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Monday 11th February 2019, 09:50	#2
arcadillor Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: China Posts: 208	both slender tailed nightjar

Monday 11th February 2019, 11:23	#3
jstanleyg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Posts: 306	Yes, thank you! I just compared to other photos of Slender-tailed, and that looks right. I wonder if I should email this tour company or just leave it alone. :P