Caprimulgus eximius
The Golden Nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius, is a strikingly cryptic and nocturnal bird endemic to the arid and semi-arid regions of the Sahelian belt in Africa. Measuring 23-28 cm (9-11 inches) in length, its plumage is a remarkable canvas of rich sandy-buff to golden-ochre, heavily streaked and mottled with black, brown, and tawny patterns that provide exceptional camouflage against the desert floor. Distinctive field marks include the overall warm golden tone, a broad flattened head, large da...
This nightjar exclusively inhabits arid and semi-arid savannas, grasslands, open scrub, desert fringes, and wadis, typically found on sandy or stony ground with sparse vegetation. It is a strictly terrestrial species, favoring flat or gently undulating terrain.
The Golden Nightjar is an obligate insectivore, preying almost exclusively on flying insects, primarily moths, beetles, and termites, which it catches in mid-air.
Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, the Golden Nightjar spends its days motionless on the ground, relying entirely on its exquisite camouflage for concealment, often becoming active shortly after sunset. It employs an aerial hawking foraging strategy, sallying from the ground or low perches to s...
The Golden Nightjar is distributed across the Sahelian belt of Africa, stretching from Mauritania and Senegal in the west, eastward through Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and South Sudan, to Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is predominantly a resident species throughout much of its range, though some populati...
Least Concern
- The Golden Nightjar's plumage is so perfectly matched to its sandy habitat that it can disappear completely from sight even at close range. - Like other nightjars, it possesses rictal bristles – stiff, hair-like feathers around its mouth – thought to aid in trapping insects during aerial pursui...