







About the Montane Nightjar
The montane nightjar, mountain nightjar or Abyssinian nightjar, is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is native to upland regions of Central and Eastern Africa where it is a locally common species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The montane nightjar is a rather dark nightjar growing to a length of about 23 cm (9.1 in). It has somewhat tawny, blackish or chocolate brown dappled plumage. The male has white spots on its four main primaries and the outer edge of the tail is white. The female has buff-coloured spots on its primaries and less white on the tail. The call is a nasal ank-ank-ank, often followed by a high-pitched whistle piiiyu-pirrr, the first syllable descending and then rising, and the second syllable tremulous and descending.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Montane Nightjar sounds like
Where the Montane Nightjar lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa.
When to see the Montane Nightjar
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Egyptian NightjarCaprimulgus aegyptiusThe variegated plumage is much paler than the European nightjar.
Madagascar NightjarCaprimulgus madagascariensisThe Madagascar nightjar or Madagascan nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae.
Slender-tailed NightjarCaprimulgus clarusThe slender-tailed nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar, measuring approximately 25–28 cm in length.
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