Long-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus climacurus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="caprimulgus-climacurus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A slender nightjar (21-28 cm including elongated tail streamers) found in open woodlands and savanna across sub-Saharan Africa. Males have extraordinarily long central tail feathers during breeding season. Nocturnal insectivore; an intra-African migrant following seasonal rainfall.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 28.6 cm | 11.3 in |
| Weight | 48.333333333333336 g | 1.70 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Brown and black cryptic upperparts; white throat patch; males sport extremely elongated central tail feathers twice body length with bare white rachis; females much shorter-tailed; West African savanna specialist.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in East Africa from Ethiopia south to Kenya and Tanzania. Resident in open bushland. Male has elongated outer tail feathers with bare shafts.
Diet & Feeding
Crepuscular to nocturnal; feeds predominantly on moths and flying beetles, hawked in open flight near woodland edges.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Churring trill with hollow 'cuck' notes; 'cuck-churr-cuck' pattern; calls from West African woodland at night; alarm a sharp bark; persistent caller in dry season
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) |
| Genus | Caprimulgus |
| Species | Caprimulgus climacurus |
Distribution
Long-tailed Nightjar has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Caprimulgidae family