Long-trained Nightjar vs Cayenne Nightjar
Macropsalis forcipata compared with Setopagis maculosa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Long-trained Nightjar | Cayenne Nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macropsalis forcipata | Setopagis maculosa |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 45.0 cm (17.7 in) | 27.8 cm (10.9 in) |
| Weight | 111.25 g (3.92 oz) | 47.0 g (1.66 oz) |
| Diet | Aerial insectivore; hawks moths and beetles in nocturnal flight over Atlantic Forest grassland and scrub. | Catches flying insects in aerial pursuit at night over South American forest and scrub. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Long-trained Nightjar
Loud, resonant 'chuck' or 'tuck' notes; hollow knocking quality; calls from Atlantic Forest edge at night; males perform aerial display; alarm a rapid staccato bark
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
Long-trained Nightjar
Endemic to southeastern Brazil (São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro); resident of Atlantic forest edge; vulnerable due to deforestation.
Cayenne Nightjar
Known from a few specimens from French Guiana; possibly a rare resident of coastal forest and scrub; poorly known.
Conservation Status
Long-trained Nightjar
Cayenne Nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Long-trained Nightjar
Male with extremely elongated outer tail feathers forming long train up to 60 cm; dark brown with buff and rufous mottling; white throat; white wing bar. Female lacks elongated tail; …
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
Long-trained Nightjar
A large Caprimulgidae nightjar (~111 g) of subtropical Atlantic forest and open country in southeastern Brazil. Males have extraordinary forked tails extending far beyond body length. Inhabits forest edges and clearings in Atlantic Forest remnants. Feeds on moths and large insects. Least Concern; some decline with deforestation.
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.