Mozambique Nightjar vs Cayenne Nightjar
Caprimulgus fossii compared with Setopagis maculosa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mozambique Nightjar | Cayenne Nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus fossii | Setopagis maculosa |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 31.0 cm (12.2 in) | 27.8 cm (10.9 in) |
| Weight | 61.7 g (2.18 oz) | 47.0 g (1.66 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds nocturnally on flying insects, chiefly moths and beetles, by hawking low over arid scrub … | Catches flying insects in aerial pursuit at night over South American forest and scrub. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Mozambique Nightjar
Loud churring trill; resonant 'charrr' from miombo woodland; calls from sandy ground at night; alarm a sharp 'churk'; one of southern Africa's most familiar nightjar calls
Cayenne Nightjar
Poorly known vocalizations; presumed churring trill based on genus; extremely rare recordings; distinct from other Setopagis by subtle tonal and rhythm differences
Geographic Range & Migration
Mozambique Nightjar
Breeds in West Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia. Intra-African migrant; male has extraordinary elongated flag-like wing feathers.
Cayenne Nightjar
Known from a few specimens from French Guiana; possibly a rare resident of coastal forest and scrub; poorly known.
Conservation Status
Mozambique Nightjar
Cayenne Nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Mozambique Nightjar
Grey-brown upperparts with black streaks and pale buff freckling; white throat patch; underparts barred buff and dark brown; males show white outer tail corners; Southern African bird distinguished by greyer …
Cayenne Nightjar
Brown and buff mottled above with dark vermiculations; pale buff below with darker barring; white throat patch in male; outer tail spots white; data deficient; known from only a handful …
About These Birds
Mozambique Nightjar
A small nightjar (22-24 cm) widespread across southern and eastern Africa. Grey-brown plumage with bold white wing and tail spots. Found in varied habitats from woodland to gardens. Nocturnal insectivore with a sustained churring song. Partial intra-African migrant.
Cayenne Nightjar
A small Caprimulgidae nightjar (~47 g) from coastal French Guiana and adjacent Suriname. Known from only a handful of specimens; biology essentially unknown. Mottled brown plumage presumed cryptic in leaf litter. Presumed nocturnal insectivore. Data Deficient due to extreme rarity of confirmed records in the wild.