Caprimulgus rufigena
The Rufous-cheeked Nightjar (Caprimulgus rufigena) is a captivating medium-sized nocturnal bird, typically measuring 23-24 cm in length with a weight ranging from 39-58 grams. Its plumage is a masterpiece of cryptic camouflage, featuring intricate patterns of mottled browns, grays, rufous, and black, perfectly blending with leaf litter and bark. A key identification feature is the prominent rufous cheeks, often bordered by a distinct white malar stripe, which gives the species its common name...
Found in a variety of open dry habitats including savanna, woodlands, Mopane and Miombo forests, and dry scrubland, typically at elevations from sea level up to 1,800 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide range of airborne insects such as moths, beetles, grasshoppers, and termites, caught in flight.
Strictly crepuscular and nocturnal, the Rufous-cheeked Nightjar spends its days motionless, perfectly camouflaged on the ground amidst leaf litter or perched lengthwise on a low branch, often going unnoticed. It is an aerial insectivore, sallying from a low perch or engaging in continuous, moth-l...
The Rufous-cheeked Nightjar exhibits a fascinating migratory pattern across sub-Saharan Africa. The nominate subspecies, *C. r. rufigena*, primarily breeds in Southern Africa, including countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, and Zambia. After the breeding se...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-cheeked Nightjar is a master of disguise; its mottled plumage allows it to seemingly vanish into the background of its daytime roosts. - Like many nightjars, its eyes reflect a striking red glow when caught in a beam of light at night. - The family name 'Caprimulgidae' translates to ...