Bird Guide

Jerdon's Nightjar vs Large-tailed Nightjar

Jerdon's Nightjar (Caprimulgus atripennis)

Jerdon's Nightjar

Caprimulgus atripennis

Medium61 gForest

Like other nightjars, it has a wide gape, long wings, soft downy plumage and nocturnal habits. At 26 cm in overall length, it is almost a head's length larger than the Indian nightjar (C. asiaticus), and differs from that species in its barred tail, rufous rear neck, and wing bars. The vermiculations on the crown are fine giving it a nearly uniform shade. The collar is blackish. The male has a white patch on each wing. Otherwise, their cryptic plumage is mainly variegated buff and brown, as typical for the dark tropical woodland nightjars.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Jerdon's Nightjar
Recorded by JAIRAM VIJAYAN · Duet · Kadamberi, Kannur, Kerala, India · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India · CC BY 2.0
Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)

Large-tailed Nightjar

Caprimulgus macrurus

Medium66 gWoodland

The large-tailed nightjar measures approximately 31.5 to 33 cm in length. The cryptic plumage and colouration of large-tailed nightjars provide effective camouflage within its natural habitat. Males exhibit distinctive markings, characterized by a pale crown with a dark median stripe. A prominent row of black scapular feathers, bordered by broad buff or whitish-buff fringes, enhances their striking appearance. Additionally, males possess a white throat patch and along, broad brown tail marked with uneven dark bars. Voice: Songs can be heard year-round, but vocal activity may vary depending on breeding activity, population density, and moon phase. The large-tailed nightjar has a distinctive, monotonous song that it uses to assert its territory. Territorial songs are typically given by males, but there are also reports of females giving these songs.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Large-tailed Nightjar
Recorded by Untung Sarmawi · Song · Ole Nasi, near Soe, West Timor, Indonesia · CC0
Photo: NatureAtYourBackyard, Flickr User · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Jerdon's Nightjar and Large-tailed Nightjar.