Donaldson Smith's Nightjar
Caprimulgus donaldsoni
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<birdfyi-bird slug="caprimulgus-donaldsoni"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small nightjar (20-22 cm) of dry bush and semi-arid scrublands in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Pale grey-brown plumage. Nocturnal insectivore. Named after the American explorer Donaldson Smith. Poorly known in the wild.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 26.0 cm | 10.2 in |
| Weight | 29.75 g | 1.05 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Small and compact; pale greyish-brown upperparts finely vermiculated blackish; narrow whitish supercilium; small white throat spot; underparts pale buff with faint barring; notably small size compared to African relatives.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Gabon south to South Africa. Common in woodland, forest edge, and gardens. Produces distinctive churring calls.
Diet & Feeding
Nocturnal insect hawker feeding on moths, beetles, and flying crickets; hunts in buoyant coursing flight.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Soft, rapid churring; thin 'trrrr' at moderate pitch; small size produces lighter call; calls from dry African scrub at night; poorly known vocalizations
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) |
| Genus | Caprimulgus |
| Species | Caprimulgus donaldsoni |
Distribution
Donaldson Smith's Nightjar has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Donaldson Smith's Nightjar eat?
Where does the Donaldson Smith's Nightjar live?
Is the Donaldson Smith's Nightjar endangered?
How does the Donaldson Smith's Nightjar nest?
What does the Donaldson Smith's Nightjar sound like?
How big is the Donaldson Smith's Nightjar?
What order and family does the Donaldson Smith's Nightjar belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Caprimulgidae family