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Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
Caprimulgus rufigena
species of Caprimulgidae

female
ad. male

Der Rostwangen-Ziegenmelker ist für Nachtschwalbenverhältnisse ein recht farbenfroher Vogel. Die Zeichnung ist im Vergleich zum Ziegenmelker deutlich klarer, die Querbänderung kontrastreicher und breiter. Es zeigt sich ansatzweise eine Terminalbinde in den inneren Handschwingen. Die Grundfärbung der Federn ist sandbraun, teilweise rötlich. Die äußeren Handschwingen zeigen die typischen großen weißen Felder in der Innenfahne, sind aber sonst fast ohne Zeichnung - die Basis ist sandfarben aufgehellt. Das Steuer ist relativ dunkel, die Ausbildung der weißen Flächen in den äußeren Steuerfedern jedoch ähnlich anderen Ziegenmelkerarten. Längste Handschwinge ist meist die H8, H7 bis H9 sind in der Außenfahne partiell verengt.

feather number longest
primary 10 per wing 130.5 - 144.5mm n=10
P8 (80%) P9 (20%)
secondary 14 per wing 75.0 - 84.5mm n=9
S2 (11%) S3 (33%) S1 (44%) S5 (11%)
retrix 10
129.0 - 133.5mm n=2
R2 (50%) R3 (50%)
Annotations for measurement data

number of individuals n

For the statistics of the longest feather measurements, we only use data from birds having the largest feathers present. A broken, missing or growing feather, which could potentially be the longest, disqualifies the individual for measurement. Likewise, no hybrids are included in the statistics. However, birds of different ages (e.g. young and adult woodpeckers), sexes (e.g. male and female sparrowhawks) and subspecies are used equally in the diagram and can therefore lead to a very wide range of variation. The greater the number of individuals measured, the more accurate the range of variation. Very small data sets of one or only a few birds only lead to approximate results.

measurement method

The feathers are measured digitally via the scan. A ventral curvature of the feathers is straightened for the measurement, but a caudal curvature is not! Measurements are taken from the start of the calamus to the largest extension of the feather. This does not always have to be the rachis, but can also be the vanes (e.g. in the case of buntings). Special features, such as the wax platelets on the waxwing, are omitted from the measurement.

percentages

The percentages of the individual feathers, e.g. P5, indicate the proportion of individuals in which this feather is the longest of its kind. This information should always be considered in conjunction with the total number of birds measured. An indication of 100% for five individuals is no guarantee that this feather is really always the longest.

male
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country allocations

Nightjar and allies

conservation status

  • CITES
    not listed
  • Regulation (EG) Nr. 865/2006
    not listed
  • German Federal Nature Conservation Act §44
    strictly protected