Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This recently-split nightjar is known only from a single specimen, taken in 1939. It is likely to be extinct, and any extant population would be tiny. For these reasons it is classified as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).
Population justification
The species is known only from a single specimen taken in 1939, and any remaining population is likely to be tiny.
Trend justification
Given that the species is known only a single specimen, the population trend is essentially unknown.
Eurostopodus exul is endemic to the island of New Caledonia (to France), has not been recorded since its type specimen was collected in 1939, and is likely to be extinct (Dutson 2011, Szabo et al. 2012). The specimen was taken in coastal savanna vegetation at Tao.
Specimen taken in coastal niaouli savanna (Dutson 2011).
There is no direct information on threats, but it may have declined through predation by introduced rats and possibly cats or habitat loss through fire, mining and logging
Conservation and research actions underway
No targeted actions are known.
Conservation and research actions proposed
Investigate any credible reports.
26 cm. A pale silvery-grey nightjar with fairly sparse dark blotches and streaks. Blackish crown, dark grey brown underparts with a small white throat patch. Similar species. No other nightjars occur on New Caledonia, smaller, paler and more uniform than E. mystacalis (which could potentially occur). Voice. Unknown.
Text account compilers
Khwaja, N., Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S., Martin, R., Symes, A., Taylor, J.
Contributors
Dutson, G.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: New Caledonian Nightjar Eurostopodus exul. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/new-caledonian-nightjar-eurostopodus-exul on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.