Caprimulgus clarus
The Slender-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus clarus) is a captivating member of the Caprimulgidae family, a group of crepuscular and nocturnal insectivores. Often considered a distinct species, it is sometimes grouped as a subspecies of either the Long-tailed Nightjar (C. climacurus) or the Square-tailed Nightjar (C. fossii), a taxonomic point of interest for naturalists. This master of camouflage measures approximately 23-28 cm (9-11 inches) in length, with an impressive wingspan typically rangi...
This nightjar primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid savannas, open woodlands, grasslands, and thorny scrublands, typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,500 meters.
The Slender-tailed Nightjar is an obligate insectivore, feeding almost exclusively on a variety of nocturnal insects, including moths, beetles, and crickets, caught deftly in mid-air during sustained foraging flights.
Exclusively nocturnal or crepuscular, the Slender-tailed Nightjar spends its days perfectly camouflaged and motionless on the ground, often along tracks or under sparse bushes, emerging at dusk to hunt. Its foraging strategy involves agile aerial pursuits of insects, primarily moths, beetles, and...
The Slender-tailed Nightjar occupies a broad geographic distribution across East Africa, spanning from northeastern Sudan and Eritrea, south through Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and into northern Tanzania. While largely considered a resident species throughout much of its core r...
Least Concern
- The Slender-tailed Nightjar's mottled plumage is so effective that it can be almost impossible to spot even when you're looking directly at it, often only flushing at your feet. - Males possess remarkably long, graduated tail feathers, which can exceed their body length, primarily used for intr...