This is the ultimate identification guide to the nightjars, potoos, frogmouths, Oilbird, and owlet-nightjars of the world. Covering all 135 known species of these elusive and cryptically plumaged birds, this illustrated guide features more than 580 superb color photographs depicting every species and many subspecies, including numerous images never before published. Photos of museum specimens are provided for birds for which no images in the wild exist, including species not seen since their original discovery. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, confusion species, vocalizations, distribution, habitat and altitudinal range, breeding season and sites, egg type and clutch size, downy chick, status, and Red List category. This easy-to-use photographic guide also includes a color distribution map for every species as well as sections on plumage, taxonomy, and more.
- The ultimate identification guide to these elusive birds
- Covers all 135 known species
- Features more than 580 color photos
- Provides detailed species accounts and a color distribution map for every species
- Includes sections on plumage, taxonomy, and more
"Features more than 580 superb color photographs depicting every species and many subspecies, including numerous images never before published. . . . A must have for those with any interest in nightjars! Tropical birders will also find it useful."—Ian Paulsen, Birdbooker Report
"This is a sumptuous volume which has brought together the best-ever collection of photographs of nightjars and their allies. Some of the images have to be seen to be believed, they are so brilliant. . . . In conclusion, this is a wonderful book, principally for the array of excellent images which it includes—for many of the species, there are no previous published photographs at all. It contains the latest thinking on the taxonomy of the Caprimulgiformes."—John Clark, Birding World
"This thoroughly researched and beautifully produced volume is a must-have for every ornithologist, and for the customer in search of a gift a serious birding friend doesn't already have, this must be the ultimate find. The 464 page hardcover version has a value far greater than its $45 price tag."—Birding Business
"If you aren't already a fan of nightjars, this book will convert you."—Grant McCreary, Birder's Library
"Nightjars of the World offers us a rare, detailed look at some of the most elusive nocturnal birds of the world. For those, like me, who can't get enough of birding, Nightjars of the World will be revisited over and over on those rainy or snowy days when outdoor birding is not feasible."—Brad Sylvester, Birdwatching Examiner
"Reading this book was like taking a semester long ornithology course on the greater goatsucker order of birds. I really enjoyed learning the biology. This will be the world's go-to reference book for all things nightjar."—Idaho Birding Blog
"The best bird book I've seen all year. . . . This book is a comprehensive photographic guide (check out the crazy variations these birds come in), but also gives information about this poorly understood group of birds in an easy to read fashion. . . . This book will appeal to hardcore and intermediate birders alike because this is a fascinating family of birds to study and the photos are incredible."—Sharon Stiteler, Birdchick.com
"The avian order Caprimulgiformes includes an interesting collection of nighthawks, nightjars, potoos, frogmouths, and the enigmatic oilbird. Although these birds are familiar summer residents over most of the world, surprisingly little is known about the ecology and reproductive biology of many of them. This book is a step toward solving that problem. It also serves as an identification guide, with individual accounts that include a description, range map, and several pictures for each of the 125 known species of caprimulgids. Although bird guides that use paintings rather than photos are usually preferable, ornithologist Cleere has done a spectacular job of obtaining photographs that are beautiful as well as illustrative."—Choice
"I highly recommend this book for birders at any level who find themselves lured to the obscure members of the order Caprimulgiformes. Even those of casual interest will find fascinating the large, full-color photographs of wide-eyed nightjars and frogmouths or potoos blending in perfectly with a vertical branch."—Eyrie
"This book is a great inspiration and a help in sorting out what's possible in any location. What's known, what's unknown. Makes me want to spend more warm evenings staring at the sky in hopes that another bug-gulping nightjar speeds past, maybe circles once to give me another glimpse, then vanishes off into the dusk, and the mysterious dark that obscures so much about these fellow earthlings."—Towheeblog
"This new book by Nigel Cleere is a must-own reference guide for anyone interested in knowing more about the identification and natural history of the 135 species of nightjars, potoos, frogmouths, oilbird, and owlet-nightjars of the world."—Drew and Alex Lamoreaux, Nemesis Bird
"Finding a book that will improve my knowledge of these enigmatic creatures was . . . wonderful. . . . This is a good, and fun, source book for avid naturalist."—Roy John, Canadian Field Naturalist
"Nightjars, Potoos, Frogmouths, Oilbird and Owlet-Nightjars of the World is spectacular and I strongly recommend it. It's obvious that it will be a must-have for anyone interested in these birds, but it will also be cherished by those interested in birds more generally. It looks incredible and is just an amazing visual reference on a spectacularly odd and curious group of birds."—Darren Naish, ScientificAmerican.com's, Tetrapod Zoology
"Cleere has synthesized a lot of information about a group of birds that are difficult to identify and study, and presents it in an easy-to-use format. He has done a tremendous job of collecting numerous photos of these enigmatic birds that show many helpful identification characteristics and also their subtle beauty."—Sophie Webb, coauthor of A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America
