• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to be in decline as a result of loss and degradation of its forest habitat, particularly at the lower limit of its elevational range. However, remote sensing data suggest that rates of forest loss in the species' range are low and the area of suitable habitat remains large. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. 

Population justification
The population has not been formally quantified. Surveys in Java reported 1-3 individuals observed per day at Gunung Salak and Gunung Slamet (Mittermeier et al. 2014), and recent surveys in West and Central Java (Marsden et al. 2023) encountered it on all twelve mountains surveyed, suggesting it is widespread and locally common. Given a relatively large area of suitable habitat (its range contains more than 20,000 km² of forest, to which this species is only moderately tied), even if only a small percentage of the range was occupied, the population size of C. pulchellus is unlikely to be especially small.

Trend justification
Forest loss, degradation and fragmentation are considered the main threats to this species. It is likely to be moderately secure in small numbers at higher elevations, but losing habitat at lower levels where encroachment is occurring. In the 11 years (three generations) to 2022, forest cover in the species' range declined by c. 5% (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). In the absence of evidence for other significant threats, the population is suspected to be declining at a similar rate.

Caprimulgus pulchellus is restricted to montane and submontane forests in Sumatra and Java, Indonesia.

It occurs in montane and submontane forest at 800-2,100 m, favouring clearings and tracks within the forest and roosting on the ground or a low perch, often in thick tangles (Eaton et al. 2021). Breeding season is late March to May on Java (N. Cleere in litt. 2016). Its diet is poorly studied, but it is thought to feed on insects, foraging over forest clearings or near cliffs (Cleere and Kirwan 2020). 

Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation as a result of logging and agricultural expansion is the only known threat to the species. Very little primary forest remains in the lowlands of Sumatra and Java, but larger patches exist in montane areas (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). These patches are at risk of habitat encroachment at lower elevations, with logging and agricultural expansion continuing and thought to be causing slow, significant declines.

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known but it occurs in numerous protected areas.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to quantify population size. Continue to closely monitor forest loss in the species' range. Protect montane forests on Java and Sumatra and safeguard against habitat encroachment. 

Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Haskell, L.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Cleere, N., Mittermeier, J., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Salvadori's Nightjar Caprimulgus pulchellus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/salvadoris-nightjar-caprimulgus-pulchellus on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.