Satanic Eared Nightjar
Encyclopedia
The Satanic Nightjar, Eurostopodus diabolicus, also known as Sulawesi Eared Nightjar, Diabolical Nightjar or Heinrich's Nightjar is a medium-sized, approximately 27cm long, greyish brown spotted nightjar
with dark crown, barred brown below and small white spot on the third and fourth outer primaries wing feathers.
An Indonesia
n endemic
, this poorly known species was discovered in 1931 at Minahasa
peninsula of North Sulawesi
. Previously known only from a single female collected in Klabat Volcano
, this species was rediscovered in May 1996 at Lore Lindu National Park
in Central Sulawesi
.
The common and scientific names of this species refer to a local superstition: it is associated with a "wet" plopping sound, repeated twice, that may be heard in the nighttime in its habitat. Locals believe this bird to be a demonic entity that tears the eyes of sleeping people out, hence the sound. The voice recorded during more recent studies does not match this description however (see also Devil Bird
).
Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size and limited range, the Satanic Nightjar is evaluated as Vulnerable
on the IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species.
Nightjar
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. They are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats . Some New World species are named as nighthawks...
with dark crown, barred brown below and small white spot on the third and fourth outer primaries wing feathers.
An Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n endemic
Endemism in birds
An endemic bird area is a region of the world that contains two or more restricted-range species, while a "secondary area" contains one or more restricted-range species. Both terms were devised by Birdlife International....
, this poorly known species was discovered in 1931 at Minahasa
Minahasa
The Minahasa are an ethnic group located in the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia, formerly known as North Celebes...
peninsula of North Sulawesi
North Sulawesi
North Sulawesi is a province of Indonesia. It is on the island of Sulawesi, and borders the province of Gorontalo to the west . The islands of Sangihe and Talaud form the northern part of the province, which border Davao del Sur in the Philippines.The capital and largest city in North Sulawesi is...
. Previously known only from a single female collected in Klabat Volcano
Mount Klabat
Mount Klabat is the highest volcano on Sulawesi island, located in the east of Manado city, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. A 170 × 250 m wide, shallow crater lake is found at the summit. There are no confirmed historical eruptions of the volcano. A report of eruption taking place in 1683 is...
, this species was rediscovered in May 1996 at Lore Lindu National Park
Lore Lindu National Park
Lore Lindu National Park is a forested protected area on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, in the province of Central Sulawesi. The area of the national park is 2,180 km² covering both lowland and montane forests. It provides habitat to numerous rare species, including 77 bird species...
in Central Sulawesi
Central Sulawesi
Central Sulawesi is a province of Indonesia located in the centre of Sulawesi. It was established on 13 April 1964....
.
The common and scientific names of this species refer to a local superstition: it is associated with a "wet" plopping sound, repeated twice, that may be heard in the nighttime in its habitat. Locals believe this bird to be a demonic entity that tears the eyes of sleeping people out, hence the sound. The voice recorded during more recent studies does not match this description however (see also Devil Bird
Devil Bird
The Devil Bird, locally known as Ulama, is a cryptid of Sri Lanka said to emit bloodcurdling human sounding shrieks in the night from within the jungles. In Sri Lankan folklore, it is believed that the cry of this bird is an omen that portends death...
).
Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size and limited range, the Satanic Nightjar is evaluated as Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
on the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
of Threatened Species.