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ForestScrapeSmall · 46 g
ID tip
The long-tailed nightjar ranges from about 29–43 cm in size and is sexually dimorphic. It has a long, graduated tail, with its size ranging from 200-304 mm in males and 156-256 mm in females. Its plumage is primarily rufous-brown to gray-brown in colour, but has pale bands (white in males, buff in females) across the forewing, as well as along the trailing edge of the flight feathers. The males can also have a white throat patch and brown bills, legs and feet. A sexually immature Long-tailed Nightjar looks more similar to a female, however its plumage tends to be paler. Voice: Relative to other nightjars, the long-tailed nightjar's call is a faster, higher-pitched, prolonged trill. During flight, especially in the process of catching prey, the long-tailed nightjar often produces a "chuck" or "chiow".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Long-tailed Nightjar
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 7 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Long-tailed Nightjar
The map shades 23 countries with regular records, and 2 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Long-tailed Nightjar
The long-tailed nightjar is one of 98 species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae, the "true nightjars". It is a nocturnal, insectivorous bird characterized by its distinctive long tail. It is found throughout mainland Africa in open areas, arid semi-deserts, and savannas, with common sightings alongside roadways.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Slender-tailed NightjarCaprimulgus clarusThe slender-tailed nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar, measuring approximately 25–28 cm in length.
Madagascar NightjarCaprimulgus madagascariensisThe Madagascar nightjar or Madagascan nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae.
Egyptian NightjarCaprimulgus aegyptiusThe variegated plumage is much paler than the European nightjar.
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