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PLATE 65: CUCKOOS II AND NIGHTJARS
Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cocomantis passerinus V
L: 22. Rather small cuckoo. Male and most females easily told by smooth, dark grey plumage
fading into whitish belly and undertail-coverts; wings have olive-brown wash; graduated tail has
white barring below. In flight shows a conspicuous white patch at base of underside of primaries.
Juvenile rufous-brown above, barred darker; chin and throat warm buff with fine black bars, rest of
underparts white with narrow dark bars; undertail-feathers barred brown and white. Rather shy and
when flushed often flies some distance. Voice Vagrants unlikely to call. Habitat Woodland, bushes
and thickets. Note Vagrant Oman. Recently split from Plaintive Cuckoo C. merulinus.
Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius V
L: 33. Similar in size to Common Cuckoo, but in flight shows slightly broader and shorter wings
and slightly shorter tail. In adult plumage grey above with vinous wash on breast, faint barring on
belly and banded tail (above and below). In juvenile (most likely to be seen in region), upperparts
are dull rufous, barred darker with ill-defined white collar on hindneck of greyish head; underparts
white with dark streaks on throat and breast, and spotting on belly. Rather secretive. In flight
resembles a hawk, particularly Shikra. Habitat Usually in tall trees and scrub. Note Vagrant Oman.
[Alt: Indian Hawk-Cuckoo]
European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus PM
L: 26. The most widely encountered nightjar in the region but not resident. Distinguishing features
(breeding subspecies meridionalis and passage migrant europaeus) are the dark-streaked grey crown
contrasting with browner cheeks and throat, grey upperparts with broad bands of dark brown
and buff-white on the scapulars, and rows of whitish to buffy spotting on the coverts. Male
has white spots in wings and tail. Subspecies unwini (breeding in Iran and Iraq) is distinctly paler,
with more sandy-grey upperparts, white-and-buff spotted coverts, and longer, whiter lower throat-
patches; male shows larger white spots in primaries. (Migrant plumipes, assumed to occur, is paler
sandy above, much as Egyptian Nightjar, but retains prominent white cheek-stripe and has greyish
flight feathers). Most often seen in flight at dawn and dusk; will hunt moths attracted to street lighting
or car headlights. Frequently encountered during day, perched lengthways along branch (also sits on
ground) and if flushed usually flies only a short distance; note rather slow, soft wingbeats with long
glides on stiffly held wings (as other nightjars), recalling cuckoo or falcon and similarly causing small
birds in vicinity to alarm. Often sits on tracks at night. In courtship display, wing-claps in flight, often
also giving distinctive kru-ipp call. Voice Song at night (only rarely during daylight) long rising and
falling churr, which can go on for many minutes, alternating on two pitches and highly ventriloquial.
Commonly calls again after dusk or pre-dawn, a distinctive, loud throaty kru-ipp, or falling, discontented
guttural kworr-kworr. Habitat Edges of woods and heaths, steppes with sparse vegetation; any open
areas on migration, often in or near trees or shrubs. Note Passage hatched.
Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius pm, wv
L: 25. The palest nightjar of the region, with a pale sandy-grey ground colour, broad rows of
inconspicuous buff tips to wing-coverts and white patch on side of neck (often very hard to
see). Crown plain, finely dark-flecked on rear. In flight, very pale underwing, and above, dark flight
feathers contrasting with pale upperwing-coverts. Both sexes lack white patch in wing, but male
shows pale creamy spots on outer tail feathers below. Juvenile has ill-defined spotting, not barring,
on underparts. From European Nightjar by pale sandy plumage, contrast between flight feathers
and paler coverts and lack of white spots in less pointed wings. Invariably only ever sits on ground;
often on tracks at night. Voice Song a regular, rapidly repeated kowrr-kowrr-kowrr, slowing towards
end. Habitat Semi-deserts, often with palms or scrub. Note Passage hatched, often rare; winters
in S Arabia.
Nubian Nightjar Caprimulgus nubicus V
L: 21. Slightly smaller than European Nightjar, with shorter tail. Told from other nightjars in the region
by more rounded wings, chestnut base to upper primaries, pale rufous underwing contrasting
with black primaries and conspicuous white patches on outer wing and outer tail feathers. When
perched, helpful features are buff half-collar, white bar on edge of cheek and another on side
of throat, and greyish upperparts with broad buff tips to wing-coverts. Wing-claps during display.
Voice Song a fairly liquid quil-quil (recalling distant barking dog), repeated non-stop for up to 30
seconds, occasionally preceded by very quiet poo-poo poo-poo. Habitat Sand and stony deserts,
including dry watercourses, with scattered vegetation such as palms and tamarisk. Note Vagrant
Oman.