Caprimulgus natalensis
The Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis) is a captivating, cryptically-plumaged nocturnal bird found across sub-Saharan Africa, expertly blending into its wetland habitats. Measuring approximately 20-24 cm (8-9.5 inches) in length with a wingspan of around 40-45 cm (16-18 inches) and weighing 50-80 grams, this species exhibits the typical nightjar morphology: a flattened head, large eyes, short legs, and an extraordinarily wide gape fringed with rictal bristles for aerial insect foraging. ...
Exclusively inhabits freshwater wetlands, including swamps, marshes, seasonally flooded grasslands, and moist savannas, typically at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of nocturnal flying insects such as moths, beetles, termites, and mosquitoes, captured during aerial hawking flights.
The Swamp Nightjar is a strictly nocturnal and crepuscular species, becoming active shortly after sunset and before dawn. During the day, it roosts cryptically on the ground amidst leaf litter or low vegetation, relying on its superb camouflage to avoid detection. Foraging involves short, agile f...
The Swamp Nightjar is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in a fragmented band extending from West Africa through Central Africa to East and Southern Africa. Its breeding range covers countries such as Senegal, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ang...
Least Concern
- The Swamp Nightjar's scientific name, *Caprimulgus*, translates to 'goat-milker,' stemming from ancient European folklore that erroneously believed nightjars sucked milk from goats at night. - Its extremely wide gape and long, stiff rictal bristles around the mouth act like a net, greatly incre...