Nightjars:
A team of scientists recently described a new species of nightjar, named Caprimulgus ritae, living in the tropical forests Timor and Wetar, Lesser Sunda Islands.
- Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal insectivorous birds in the family Caprimulgidae and the order Caprimulgiformes.
- These birds are found all around the world, with the exception of Antarctica and certain island groups, such as the Seychelles.
- They are characterized by long wings, short legs, and very short bills.
- They feed on flying insects that they catch on the wing at night.
- Their grey-brown, mottled, streaked, and stripey plumage provides ideal camouflage in the daytime.
- During the day, they sleep on the ground or perched, usually lengthwise, on a branch.
- They are among the most difficult bird species to study due to their unobtrusive and nocturnal behavior and cryptic plumage.
Lesser Sunda Islands:
- The Lesser Sunda Islands are an archipelago in maritime Southeast Asia.
- It is located to the immediate east of Java and to the north of Western Australia.
- Major islands in the group include Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, and Timor.
