About the Square-tailed Nightjar
The square-tailed nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae which is native to tropical and subtropical woodlands of the Afrotropics. It has an extensive range south of the African equator. Despite not having a completely "square tail", its naming highlights a distinguishing field mark. The similarly plumaged slender-tailed nightjar, found in dry bush country of the tropics, differs namely by its protruding central tail feathers. It is alternatively known as the Gabon nightjar or Gaboon nightjar or the Mozambique nightjar.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Voice: This bird's call is a prolonged churring, which alternates between a fast and slow pace roughly every second. As such it differs from the similar long-tailed and slender-tailed nightjars which produce fast and slow churrs respectively.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Jungle NightjarCaprimulgus indicusThe jungle nightjar is about 21–24 cm long with the Sri Lankan population (ssp. kelaarti) being smaller.
Freckled NightjarCaprimulgus tristigmaThe freckled nightjar is a large, powerfully-build species of nightjar with long wings and relatively short tails.
Red-necked NightjarCaprimulgus ruficollisThe variegated plumage resembles the European nightjar.
Learn the Square-tailed Nightjar for real
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