European Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758)

2019-10-01 Bishkek	© Nurzhan Alymkanova

Biology

Common, in places rare breeding migrant. Inhabits the steppe forest patches, riparian forests, sandy deserts and low old mountains with bushes and reed-beds on streams. On Altai inhabits meadow-steppe belt with bushes and rocks at altitudes 1450-1600 m, and in Western Tien Shan lives in juniper-tree forests at altitudes up to 2000 m. Arrives in end of April – May, migration finishes in early June. Doesn’t build the, lays eggs on bare ground. Clutch of 2 eggs is laid in mid-May to end June. Very late breeding observed in Zaysan depression, where clutch was found 21 July 1995 and chicks were hatched on July 25th. Incubation is 17-18 days. Both parents feed juveniles. Probably re-nests after loss of first clutch. Autumn migration begins in August, mass flight occurs in September, latest birds recorded in end of October (24 October 2000). On Chokpak Pass in spring 184 europaeus, 532 zarudnyi, 110 unwini and 44 plumipes were ringed; in autumn - 158 europaeus, 209 zarudnyi, 174 unwini and 45 plumipes.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург, Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.