Caprimulgus climacurus
The Long-tailed Nightjar, *Caprimulgus climacurus*, is an exquisitely camouflaged nocturnal bird, instantly recognizable by the male's dramatically elongated outer tail feathers, which can reach up to 30 cm (12 in) during the breeding season. This medium-sized nightjar measures typically 20-28 cm (8-11 in) in body length, with a wingspan of 40-50 cm (16-20 in) and weighing around 40-60 grams (1.4-2.1 oz). Its plumage is a masterpiece of cryptic coloration, a complex mosaic of mottled browns, ...
Found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats, including savannas, grasslands with scattered trees, woodlands, and forest clearings, typically at low to moderate elevations.
Strictly insectivorous, primarily consuming moths, beetles, grasshoppers, ants, and other flying insects caught on the wing.
This species is predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal, spending its days roosting motionless on the ground or perched longitudinally on low branches, its intricate plumage providing perfect camouflage. Foraging occurs primarily during twilight and after dark, with individuals expertly hawking f...
The Long-tailed Nightjar is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, predominantly within the tropical and subtropical regions. Its breeding and resident range stretches from Senegal and Mauritania in the west, eastward through the Sahel and Guinean savanna zones, reaching as far as western ...
Least Concern
- Male Long-tailed Nightjars boast tail streamers that can be three times the length of their body, reaching up to 30 cm (12 in) during the breeding season, making them one of the most impressively tailed birds in Africa. - Its scientific name 'climacurus' comes from Greek words meaning 'ladder-t...