UNVEILING JHARKHANDS NOCTURNAL AVIFAUNA: FIRST RECORD OF JERDONS NIGHTJAR (CAPRIMULGUS ATRIPENNIS) FROM JHARKHAND WITH SPATIAL ACOUSTIC EVIDENCE FROM DALMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Jerdons Nightjar (Caprimulgusatripennis) is a nocturnal aerial entomophagous that is a widespread bird across peninsular India but it remains insufficiently documented in the plateau of eastern India. This study substantiates its existence in Dalma Wildlife sanctuary as a habitat indicator and trophic regulator. In this study, field surveys using paired autonomous sound recordings(combined nocturnal acoustic monitoring) and opportunistic visual encounters which were conducted across these heterogeneous habitats. The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of integrating nocturnal bird species into standardized biodiversity assessment frameworks. When we specifically highlight the value of this birds occurrence in Dalma wildlife sanctuary we should first mention its previously documented habitats, first time discovery and original locality. The species was first time described by the surgeon-naturalist Thomas C. Jerdon in his work, Illustration of Indian ornithology. Jerdon identified the type locality as the Ghauts, which is later interpreted as the Eastern ghats (west of Nellore). As a nocturnal insectivore it also does the work of a guardian of the night by controlling populations of various insects such as moths, beetles, and other flying insects. Recent sightings in areas like the coastal plains of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal suggest that it may be expanding its range and these are holding true as we have sighted this nocturnal gem in Dalma wildlife sanctuary and these monitoring frameworks are becoming more effective for detecting elusive nocturnal species.