Caprimulgus aegyptius
The Egyptian Nightjar, *Caprimulgus aegyptius*, is a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into its arid surroundings. This medium-sized nightjar measures approximately 25 cm (10 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 55-60 cm (22-24 inches) and weighing 50-80 grams. Its plumage is a finely mottled array of sandy buff, grey, and brown, heavily streaked with black, providing exceptional cryptic coloration against desert soils and sparse vegetation. Distinctive field marks include a pale nuc...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, favoring deserts, steppes, scrubland, wadis, oases, and cultivated areas, typically at low elevations.
Its diet consists almost exclusively of large nocturnal insects, including moths, beetles, grasshoppers, and cicadas, captured expertly in flight.
Strictly nocturnal, the Egyptian Nightjar spends its days motionless on the ground, relying on its impeccable camouflage to avoid detection, often roosting under small bushes or rocks. As dusk falls, it becomes active, embarking on aerial foraging flights, catching a variety of nocturnal insects ...
The Egyptian Nightjar has an expansive but patchy distribution across the Palearctic and Afro-tropical regions. Its breeding range extends across North Africa, specifically in areas of Egypt and Libya, eastward through the Middle East, including Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Further east...
Least Concern
- The name 'nightjar' comes from their nocturnal activity and the jarring, churring call of many species. - Its scientific name, *Caprimulgus*, translates to 'goatsucker,' stemming from an ancient myth that nightjars sucked milk from goats, a misconception likely due to their habit of foraging ne...