Egyptian Nightjar
Caprimulgus aegyptius
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About
A pale, sandy-colored nightjar (25 cm) well adapted to arid habitats. Cryptic desert plumage provides excellent camouflage on open sandy ground. Nocturnal insectivore feeding on beetles and moths. Found from the Sahara across the Middle East to Central Asia. A long-distance migrant.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 40.2 cm | 15.8 in |
| Weight | 77.0 g | 2.72 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Pale sandy-buff overall with fine dark brown speckles and streaks; whitish throat patch; wings show ochre spotting on coverts; one of the palest nightjars, adapted to arid desert habitats.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Breeds in North Africa and the Middle East east to Pakistan. Migrant wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Found in sandy desert and semi-arid terrain.
Diet & Feeding
Night-active insect hawker taking moths, beetles, and flying termites during sallies over tropical forest clearings.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO. Fledging: 28 days.
Clutch Size
1-2
Sound
Song
Soft, repetitive 'qurr-qurr'; purring trill from desert scrub; quieter than most Caprimulgus; calls carry across open sandy terrain at night; alarm a low 'croak'
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) |
| Genus | Caprimulgus |
| Species | Caprimulgus aegyptius |
Distribution
Egyptian Nightjar has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Egyptian Nightjar eat?
Where does the Egyptian Nightjar live?
Is the Egyptian Nightjar endangered?
How does the Egyptian Nightjar nest?
What does the Egyptian Nightjar sound like?
How big is the Egyptian Nightjar?
What order and family does the Egyptian Nightjar belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Caprimulgidae family