Sexes similar. Upperparts brown speckled and barred greyish- brown, cinnamon and rufous, broadly streaked blackish- brown on crown; no nuchal collar; wing- coverts brown speckled, spotted and tipped tawny and buff; scapulars cinnamon- buff speckled greyish- brown, boldly spotted blackish- brown; large white throat patch; underparts cinnamon- rufous barred brown, becoming buff barred brown on belly and flanks; both sexes lack white markings on wings and tail. Iris dark brown, bill blackish, legs and feet blackish. Immature similar to adult, though often slightly paler and more heavily spotted on head.
Not Threatened.
Sexes similar. Upperparts brown speckled and barred greyish- brown, cinnamon and rufous, broadly streaked blackish- brown on crown; no nuchal collar; wing- coverts brown speckled, spotted and tipped tawny and buff; scapulars cinnamon- buff speckled greyish- brown, boldly spotted blackish- brown; large white throat patch; underparts cinnamon- rufous barred brown, becoming buff barred brown on belly and flanks; both sexes lack white markings on wings and tail. Iris dark brown, bill blackish, legs and feet blackish. Immature similar to adult, though often slightly paler and more heavily spotted on head.
VOICE: song of male is a rapid “coo- coo- coo- coo”; calls include low, guttural chattering.
25- 27.5 cm; 80- 81 g (female)
Taxonomy:
- Caprimulgus papuensis Schlegel, 1866, Salawati and the opposite coast of New Guinea. Genus tentatively merged into Caprimulgus by one author, but this proposal has received very little support. Formerly placed in genus Lyncornis. Birds of E New Guinea have been separated by some authors as race astrolabae. Monotypic. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Distribution:
- Lowlands of New Guinea; also Salawati I.
Mainly lowland rainforest in openings, clearings and glades with good ground cover of second growth, from sea- level to 400 m.
Feeds on moths and other insects. Forages in flight, hunting in forest clearings and openings or above forest canopy. Alsofeeds by making sallies from ground.
Poorly known. Possibly breeds Jun- Aug. Nest- site usually among undergrowth in small clearing; no nest, egg laid on bare ground or leaf litter. Clitch 1 egg, eliptical, pinkish- brown, heavily blotched dark and pale brown, with underlying grey patches; incubation apparently by female during day.