About the Standard-winged Nightjar
The standard-winged nightjar is a nocturnal bird in the nightjar family. Previously placed with the pennant-winged nightjar in their own genus, Macrodipteryx, it is native to Africa and displays extreme sexual dimorphism. During the breeding season, males will grow broad ornamental flight feathers longer than their body.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
When roosting on the ground during the day, this medium-sized (20–23 centimetres (7.9–9.1 in) long) nightjar is mainly variegated grey, with a browner collar. It has a shadowy form with easy, silent moth-like flight; this nightjar is relatively short-tailed, and lacks white in the wings or tail. The song is a churring trill. The adult male grows ornamental feathers during the breeding season which consists of a broad secondary flight feather on each wing elongated to up to 53.5 centimetres (21.1 in), over twice the length of the bird's body.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mali.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Pennant-winged NightjarCaprimulgus vexillariusThe male of the species is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries.
Sykes's NightjarCaprimulgus mahrattensisThe Sykes's nightjar is a relatively small bird, measuring around 20-25 centimeters in length and weighing about 60 grams.
Andaman NightjarCaprimulgus andamanicusThe Andaman nightjar is a species of nightjar found in the Andaman Islands.
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