Scientific Name: Caprimulgus jotaka
Malay Name: Tukang Kelabu Timur
Chinese Name: 普通夜鹰
Range: Breeding Range: Himalayas to East and South-east Asia.Nonbreeding Range: Indian subcontinent, mainland South-East Asia to Indonesia and Philippines.
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: jotaka, hazarae.
Size: 28-32 cm
Identification: Dark, greyish bird. Smaller and with a darker crown compared to Large-tailed.Male: No rufescent tinge on nape, heavier black vermiculation on upperparts. Smaller white throat patch. Darker breast, scapulars less contrasting, with black, buff and whitish bars overall; show less obvious whitish to buff bars across wing coverts. In flight, small white wing patches and tail patches.Female: Wing patches smaller than male and buff, and lack any obvious white tail patches.
Similar looking species: Large-tailed Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar
Habitat: On migration, found in primary forest, secondary growth, plantations and wooded parks.
Behaviour/Ecology: Usually seen perched on taller tree branches in daytime. Active nighttime.
Local Status: Uncommon migrant.
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016
Featured reports: Mar 2022, Apr 2022, Oct 2022, Nov 2022, Dec 2022, Jan 2023
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Gray Nightjar)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Caprimulgus jotaka. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22725702A94899999.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Grey Nightjar. Retrieved on March 21, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/grey-nightjar.