Puerto rican nightjar

It was described from bones found in cave deposits and a single specimen taken in 1888. The species was considered extinct, the specimen being the last remnant of a prehistoric bird. However, it was found to be still extant in 1961; it had been overlooked due to its secretive habits and because its habitat was not surveyed.

The Puerto rican nightjar is classified as Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Puerto Rican Nightjar, Caprimulgus noctitherus, is a very rare bird found in the coastal dry scrub forests in localized areas of southwestern Puerto Rico. It was described from bones found in cave deposits and a single specimen taken in 1888. The species was considered extinct, the specimen being the last remnant of a "prehistoric" bird. However, it was found to be still extant in 1961; it had been overlooked due to its secretive habits and because its habitat was not surveyed. More

The endemic Puerto Rican Nightjar (Caprimulgus noctitherus) was described early in the twentieth century, but taxonomic consensus on its status as a full species distinct from the continental Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) did not emerge until the 1960s. The Spanish common name "Guabairo de Puerto Rico" is derived from the Taino Indian name. The nightjar once inhabited coastal lowlands all around western Puerto Rico, but habitat loss and introduced predators have now restricted it to a very small fraction of its former breeding range. More

puerto rican nightjar The last Puerto Rican endemic species we wrote about was the rather lovely but fierce-looking Puerto Rican Screech-owl Megascops nudipes, and in that account we said that, “Birders on Puerto Rico have a chance of seeing two endemic night birds…” And we were correct, because if you’re a very fortunate birder indeed you might get to see one of the world’s rarest species the Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus (or Guabairo de Puerto Rico as it’s called in Spanish)*. More

Images Puerto Rican nightjar resting on a branch Puerto Rican nightjar resting on a branch Species related by - * Family group * Habitat * Conservation status * * View image slideshow * Link to this image * Email to a friend * More

Puerto Rican nightjar resting on a branch Puerto Rican nightjar resting on a branchPrint factsheet Facts - Also known as: Puerto Rican whip-poor-will Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Caprimulgiformes Family Caprimulgidae Genus Caprimulgus (1) More

newly-established Puerto Rican Nightjar Conservation Network and facilitated by the Species Guardian. Conservation measures proposed Survey to identify additional areas for protection, and ascertain the species's status outside its current known range. Monitor to assess population trends and the effects of management. Study movements and dispersal patterns. Research breeding biology and life history parameters to enable use of population viability analyses. Effectively conserve existing reserves4. Reforest disturbed areas with native and selected plantation species4. More

The Puerto Rican Nightjar, Caprimulgus noctitherus, is a very rare bird found in the coastal dry scrub forests in localized areas of southwestern Puerto Rico. More

Puerto Rican Nightjar was recorded over a broad region of southern Puerto Rico. "Based on our results and location information obtained over the last few years it appears the geographic range of the species may be considerably different from what had been previously estimated", said Dr Francisco Vilella, USGS Research Scientist and Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Mississippi State University. More

* States/US Territories in which the Puerto Rican nightjar is known to occur: Puerto Rico * US Counties in which the Puerto Rican nightjar is known to occur: View All * USFWS Refuges in which the Puerto Rican nightjar is known to occur: LAGUNA CARTAGENA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE More

Puerto Rican Nightjar (Caprimulgus noctitherus) were surveyed to determine present geographic distribution and abundance. Nightjar abundance and distribution were studied in Puerto Rico in 1985-1987, 1989-1990, and 1992. No relict nightjar populations were found in three areas in the northern moist limestone forest region of the island. Nightjars were found in three main areas located in the coastal dry limestone forest and lower cordillera forest of southwestern Puerto Rico. More