July 16th 2011
Biodiversity Corner - The St.Lucia Nightjar (Caprimulgus rufus otiosus)

Jacques-pas-papa-pouw, Jacques-pas-papa-pouw with the last syllable being highlighted is the call of a nocturnal bird that is an endemic subspecies to St.Lucia and referred to locally by its call.

The St. Lucia Nightjar (Caprimulgus rufus otiosus) is quite active during the night hence the name Nightjar. It’s a small to medium-sized bird attaining the length of 28 cm, dark-brown in color with some reddish-brown edges on its feathers, short rounded wings with a white throated band.

The Nightjar is heard calling at dusk during the breeding season; May and June. In the breeding season two white eggs with light brown spots is laid in a scrape on the ground which is considered to be its nest.

It is quite rare residing in the dry forest areas of the northeast coast; Grande-Anse south to Dennery and also Anse-La-Raye where they feed on insects. The Nightjar is an endangered species which faces many threats. Those threats include loss of habitat, dogs, cats, mongooses and pigs being predators because they nest on the ground.

While many may turn a blind eye when it comes to protecting our species, nature itself sometimes intervenes. Did you know that the area where the Nightjar is found has a high concentration of St. Lucia’s only poisonous snake the Fer de Lance? This of course serves as a natural deterrent.

Conservation means wise use of resources right? We need to be clued in because as the saying goes “What is done to nature is done to us all”.

For further information, please contact the Forestry Department at 468-5648/5645 or visit our blog at forestryeeunit.blogspot.com.

Jeannette Victor
Khervelle Pamphile
Forestry Department
Photos © Bruno Kern

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