The below photographs were taken by Khalifa Al Dhaheri
in the Tanoumah area of the Asir mountains at about 2100 metres above sea level
in early June 2015. Initially I thought the birds were Montane Nightjars but on
closer inspection changed my mind to Plain Nightjar. As a result I sent the
photos to Nigel Cleere who wrote the main Nightjars book and he replied with
the following “The photo appears to be of Plain Nightjar C.innornatus, although it does seem to be a particularly well
marked individual. Many are much plainer on the upperparts, especially on the
wing coverts.” Plain Nightjar has been seen much more frequently this year in
Saudi Arabia from Abha north tot Taif. Phil Roberts and I heard Montane
Nightjar calling one night in June 2015 in the area this bird was seen
suggesting that both species occur in the area. I am grateful t both Khalifa
for allowing me to see and use his photos on my website and to Nigel Cleere for
helping clarify the identification.
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| Plain Nightjar |
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| Plain Nightjar |