This bird (20-25 cm long) was observed on Venezuelan tepuis where it probably predates on snails. It is a nightjar (family Caprimulgidae) of which several species do occur in the region. If someone knows which species it is (or can give me the name of a specialist), it would be most appreciated.
I'm not an expert in nightjars but given the rather exclusive location this is probably a Band-winged nightjar. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Neotropic Birds would be good place to start for basic information: http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/home. Best of Luck!
It indeed seems like a Band-winged nightjar (Systellura longirostris). I believe there are several subspecies though.
Try asking Miguel Lentino , is an expert ornithologist in Venezuelan avifauna.
I don't have his email, but here are the links in Colección Ornitológica Phelps, Facebook and Linkedin:
http://www.fundacionwhphelps.org/contacto
https://www.facebook.com/miguel.lentino.7?fref=ts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-lentino-9440b666
Regards
Enrique Martinez
I am not familiar with neotropical nightjars, but you may like to know about a more specialised forum than here:
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=114
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Zoology
- Ornithology