Bird Guide

Indian Nightjar vs Red-necked Nightjar

Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus)

Indian Nightjar

Caprimulgus asiaticus

Small42 gShrubland

This nightjar is small and short-tailed with white corners to the tail, a golden nape and collar, dark cheeks and white patches on the sides of the throat. The crown is grey and the breast is finely barred in brown. The males have more white on the tail while the female is more heavily streaked on the crown. It is differentiated from Sykes's nightjar by the dark undertail and from Jerdon's nightjar by the shorter tail and white patches on the sides of the throat.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Indian Nightjar
Recorded by Mike Prince · Song · Jayamangali Blackbuck Sanctuary, Tumkur, Karnataka, India · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Parth Kansara · CC BY 4.0
Red-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis)

Red-necked Nightjar

Caprimulgus ruficollis

Medium69 gForest

The variegated plumage resembles the European nightjar. The adult is lichen-grey, barred and streaked with buff, chestnut and black. The underparts are barred. It is larger and longer-tailed than the more widespread species, and has a rufous neck-collar. Both sexes have white wing spots, tail sides and throat. During the day this nightjar lies silent upon the ground, concealed by its plumage; it is difficult to detect, looking like a bit of lichen-covered twig or a fragment of bark. The length is 32 cm, and the wingspan 64 cm. Voice: Its call is a repetitive mechanical kyok-kyok-kyok..., which rises and falls as the bird turns its head from side to side. When it churrs, the bird lies or crouches along a branch or rail, but it will sing from a post. During courtship, and occasionally at other times, it uses a mechanical signal, a sharp cracking sound, caused by clapping the wings together over the back.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-necked Nightjar
Recorded by Tanguy Loïs · Song · Cáceres (near (Campus Universitario)), Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: avocat · CC BY 4.0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Indian Nightjar and Red-necked Nightjar.