Caprimulgus pectoralis
The Fiery-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis, is an enigmatic and beautifully camouflaged nocturnal bird, renowned for the male's striking rufous-chestnut nuchal collar. Growing to an average length of 23-26 cm with a wingspan of 55-60 cm and weighing 50-80 grams, its plumage is a masterclass in cryptic coloration, a complex mosaic of mottled browns, grays, and buffs that allows it to disappear seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Males are distinguished by the prominent 'fiery' pat...
Found primarily in open woodlands, savannas, and forest edges, often near clearings or tracks. It occurs at low to moderate elevations, typically below 2,000 meters.
Primarily consumes nocturnal insects, including moths, beetles, grasshoppers, and termites. Forages by hawking insects on the wing, often sallying from a low perch.
Strictly nocturnal and crepuscular, the Fiery-necked Nightjar spends its days motionless, perfectly camouflaged on the ground amidst leaf litter or perched horizontally on a low branch. It is an aerial insectivore, foraging by sallying from a perch or hawking continuously in flight, often along w...
The Fiery-necked Nightjar is a widespread resident breeder across much of Sub-Saharan Africa. Its extensive range spans from Ethiopia and Sudan in the northeast, through East Africa including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, extending south through Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique, and across t...
Least Concern
- The male's 'fiery neck' is a distinctive rufous-chestnut patch on the nape, making identification easier in flight or when calling. - Their exceptionally large eyes are adapted for excellent night vision, crucial for hunting insects in low light. - Like other nightjars, they possess rictal bris...