Kingdom Animalia Genus Eurostopodus Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Caprimulgidae Scientific name Eurostopodus diabolicus Higher classification Eared nightjar Order Caprimulgiformes | |
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Similar Eurostopodus, Malaysian eared nightjar, Spotted nightjar, Great eared nightjar, White‑throated nightjar | ||
Satanic nightjar
The satanic nightjar (Eurostopodus diabolicus), also known as satanic eared nightjar, Sulawesi eared nightjar, diabolical nightjar or Heinrich's nightjar, is a medium-sized, approximately 27 cm long, greyish-brown spotted nightjar with dark crown, barred brown below and small white spot on the third and fourth outer primaries wing feathers.
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A Sulawesi 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.
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.
The midnight call of the satanic nightjar
