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 species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is now thought to be a hybrid. 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.
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
- ^ 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". bioRxiv 10.1101/2025.04.08.647728.