New Caledonian nightjar

The New Caledonian nightjar (Eurostopodus exul) is a poorly known species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to New Caledonia.

New Caledonian nightjar

Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Strisores
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Genus: Eurostopodus
Species:
E. exul
Binomial name
Eurostopodus exul
Mayr, 1941

Description

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It has silvery-grey plumage with dark blotches and streaks and a blackish crown and dark grey brown underparts with a small white throat patch.

Conservation

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It is considered possibly extinct, as it is known only from the holotype which was collected in 1939. The specimen was of a bird taken in coastal savanna. The possibility of decline in population was probably caused by predation by introduced cats and rats, alongside habitat destruction.

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Eurostopodus exul". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017. IUCN: e.T22726340A113023870. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22726340A113023870.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.