Nechisar nightjar
| Nechisar nightjar | |
|---|---|
| |
| Topside of the type specimen | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family: | Caprimulgidae |
| Genus: | Caprimulgus |
| Species: | C. solala
|
| Binomial name | |
| Caprimulgus solala Safford, Ash, Duckworth, Telfer & Zewdie, 1995
| |
The Nechisar nightjar (Caprimulgus solala) is a hypothetical species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to Ethiopia.[1]
The species was first discovered in 1990 when researchers discovered a decomposing specimen in the Nechisar National Park.[2][3] After bringing back a single wing from the specimen to the Natural History Museum in London, it was determined to be a previously unknown species. Its specific name, solala, means "only a wing".[3]
Its natural habitat is subtropical. It is probably endemic to Nechisar National Park.[citation needed]
In 2025, researchers taking DNA samples from the Nechisar specimen and other African nightjars concluded that the individual was likely a hybrid of a female Standard-winged Nightjar and a male Freckled Nightjar. This hybrid combination would be a first confirmed case of hybridization of Old World nightjars.[4][5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Caprimulgus solala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22724428A94866609. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22724428A94866609.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Caprimulgus solala". BirdLife International 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ a b LeMoult, Craig (19 July 2009). "A Single Wing Starts Quest For Mystery Bird". Weekend Edition Sunday. NPR.
- ^ Izaguirre, Frank. "Has the Nechisar Nightjar Mystery Been Solved?". ABA. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Shannon; van Grouw; Collinson. "Genetic and morphological analysis shows the Nechisar Nightjar is a hybrid". ArXiv. doi:10.1101/2025.04.08.647728. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
External links
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