Caprimulgus vexillarius
The Pennant-winged Nightjar, *Caprimulgus vexillarius*, is a medium-sized nocturnal bird celebrated for the spectacular elongated primary feathers, or 'pennants,' displayed by the breeding male. With a body length ranging from 25-28 cm and a wingspan of 55-60 cm, the male's pennants can add an additional 38 cm, making the bird appear up to 50 cm long during its breeding display. Its plumage is a masterclass in camouflage, a cryptic blend of mottled browns, greys, rufous, and black, perfectly ...
This species primarily inhabits open woodlands, savannas, and grasslands, often favoring areas near rocky outcrops or at the margins of cultivation. It typically occurs at elevations between 500 and 2000 meters, utilizing diverse, yet often dry, terrestrial environments.
The Pennant-winged Nightjar is an obligate aerial insectivore, primarily feeding on large flying insects such as moths, beetles, grasshoppers, and termites. It captures prey mid-flight using its wide gape.
Strictly nocturnal, the Pennant-winged Nightjar becomes active from dusk to dawn, roosting cryptically on the ground amidst leaf litter or on low branches during the day. It is an aerial insectivore, sallying from a perch or engaging in continuous, buoyant flight to capture large flying insects l...
The Pennant-winged Nightjar is an obligate intra-African migrant with distinct breeding and non-breeding ranges. Its primary breeding grounds are in southern Africa, spanning Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, northern South Africa, Malawi, and Mozambique. Here, it breeds during the austral summ...
Least Concern
- The male's extraordinary pennants can reach up to 38 cm in length, often exceeding the bird's entire body length. - These unique feathers are deciduous, being shed and regrown annually to coincide with the breeding season. - It is a remarkable intra-African migrant, undertaking extensive north-...