A new species of bird labelled as ‘Sykes’s Nightjar’ has been identified by a team of ornithologists at a famous wildlife sanctuary in eastern Nepal.
The team affiliated with Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) has recorded the new species at the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Resort .
Though the bird was first sighted on a sandbank in the Koshi River, some 3 kilometres south of the Koshi Barrage, in January this year, the Nepal Rare Birds Committee (NRBC), has recently approved the record submitted by the bird watchers.
The new bird’s local name is ‘Apurva Chaite Chara’ and its scientific name is ‘Caprimulgus mahrattensis’, which belongs to the Caprimulgidae family.
According to ornithologists, nightjars are small to medium-sized birds with long, pointed wings and gaping mouths with long bristles that can catch insects in flight. They are crepuscular and nocturnal in habit, and have a soft owl-like, cryptically patterned plumage.
Some five species of nightjars have been found in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.Courtsey : DD NEWS