Caprimulgus stellatus
The Star-spotted Nightjar (Caprimulgus stellatus) is a medium-sized, nocturnal bird, measuring approximately 20-25 cm (8-10 inches) in length with a wingspan around 45-50 cm. Its plumage is a masterpiece of cryptic camouflage, primarily grey-brown, intricately mottled and streaked with darker shades, punctuated by distinctive pale, star-like spots across its upperparts and wing coverts. A pale nuchal collar often provides a subtle field mark for identification. Males may exhibit small white p...
Found in arid and semi-arid scrubland, acacia woodlands, rocky hillsides, and wadis, typically in open country with scattered trees and bare ground from sea level up to 2000m.
Feeds almost exclusively on a variety of nocturnal flying insects, including moths, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets, caught in agile aerial pursuits.
Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, the Star-spotted Nightjar spends its days motionless, perfectly camouflaged on the ground or a low branch, often oriented to blend with shadows or rock patterns. It forages by launching from a perch or flying continuously to hawk insects in mid-air, utilizing ...
The Star-spotted Nightjar has a broad, resident distribution across Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In Africa, its range extends through Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, and northeastern Uganda. On the Arabian Peninsula, it is found in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and O...
Least Concern
- The genus name 'Caprimulgus' translates to 'goatsucker', stemming from an ancient European myth that these birds suckled goats at night. - Its star-like spots, from which its name 'stellatus' derives, provide exceptional camouflage against rocky, desert terrain, rendering it almost invisible du...