Jamaican Pauraque Siphonorhis americana Scientific name definitions

Known only from a handful of specimens, Jamaican Pauraque is a poorly understood Jamaican endemic that has not been positively recorded since 1860 and is considered by many authorities to be extinct. The introduction of rats and mongooses to Jamaica, as well as the loss of 75% of the original forest, are thought to have brought about a steep decline in the species. Jamaican Pauraque was smaller than other nightjars that occur on Jamaica, with a proportionately much longer tail. Unconfirmed reports of the species have surfaced since 1860, but rediscovering this mysterious nightjar seems unlikely. Unfortunately, the quest of Jamaican Pauraque is further complicated by the fact that its voice is unknown, making detection and positive identification even more difficult.