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Source-This post on Nightjars has been created based on the article “New Species of Bird Discovered on Lesser Sunda Islands” published in “SciNews” on 1 July 2024.
Why in the news?
Recently, scientists have described a new species of nightjar, named Caprimulgus ritae, found in the tropical forests of Timor and Wetar in the Lesser Sunda Islands.
About Nightjars
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. Nightjars are medium-sized, nocturnal, insectivorous birds belonging to the family Caprimulgidae and the order Caprimulgiformes. 2. Nightjars are among the most difficult bird species to study due to their unobtrusive and nocturnal behavior, as well as their cryptic plumage. |
| Features | 1.Physical Characteristics: Nightjars have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. 2. Diet: They feed on flying insects, catching them on the wing at night. 3. Camouflage: Their grey-brown, mottled, streaked, and stripey plumage provides excellent camouflage during the daytime. 4.Daytime Behavior: During the day, they sleep on the ground or perch lengthwise on a branch. |
| Distribution | Nightjars are found worldwide, except in Antarctica and certain island groups such as the Seychelles. |
| Diet | Nightjars eat a variety of flying insects, including moths and beetles. They hunt their prey in flight, which is an impressive feat in low light. |
About the Lesser Sunda Islands
1. Location: The Lesser Sunda Islands are an archipelago in maritime Southeast Asia, located to the immediate east of Java and to the north of Western Australia.
2. Major Islands: The group includes Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, and Timor.
3. Geological Formation: The islands are part of the Sunda Arc, a volcanic arc formed by subduction along the Sunda Trench in the Java Sea. Together with the Greater Sunda Islands to the west, they make up the Sunda Islands.
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
