Bird Guide

Montane Nightjar

Caprimulgus poliocephalus

Least ConcernInvertebratesForestScrapeSmall · 42 g

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

Recording: Stephen Lowe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Anne Ndung'u · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Montane Nightjar lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

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

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