Nightjars
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of over 100 nightjar specimens. These date from 1879 to 1989.
This collection includes nine mounted specimens, 18 skins, two skulls and about 70 eggs. These specimens represent several species, including the European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), the band-winged nightjar (Caprimulgus longirostris), the large-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus), the blackish nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens), the fiery-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) and the long-tailed nightjar (Scotornis climacurus). Specimens with supporting data come from Scotland, England, Ethiopia, the Gulf Coast, Kenya, Australia, Borneo and Chile.
About nightjars
Nightjars are a family of nocturnal birds that feed on large flying insects, especially moths and beetles. They look a little like kestrels and cuckoos, and they are very well camouflaged for hiding during the day. They are sometimes referred to as ‘goatsuckers’ from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats. - Broader term
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