Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis) | Photos, Calls and ID

Least ConcernRareInvertebratesForestScrapeMedium · 78 g

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 1 — Photo: Tom Field · CC BY 4.0

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 2 — Photo: Tom Field · CC BY 4.0

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 3 — Photo: nmoorhatch · CC BY 4.0

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 4 — Photo: Henrik Grønvold · Public domain

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 5 — Photo: nmoorhatch · CC BY 4.0

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 6 — Photo: Andrew Smith · Public domain

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 7 — Photo: Mahomed Desai · CC BY 4.0

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 8 — Photo: (c) nmoorhatch, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 9 — Photo: (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis), photo 10 — Photo: (c) Tom Field, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

About the Swamp Nightjar

The swamp nightjar or Natal nightjar is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family found in Africa.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

South Africa Uganda Botswana Zambia Congo - Brazzaville Kenya Namibia Gabon Rwanda Congo - Kinshasa Ghana Mozambique Tanzania Nigeria Angola

Recorded as a rare visitor in Benin.

When to see it

JFMAMJJASOND

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Philippine NightjarCaprimulgus manillensisThe Philippine nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae.

Pennant-winged NightjarCaprimulgus vexillariusThe male of the species is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries.

Standard-winged NightjarCaprimulgus longipennisWhen 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.

Learn the Swamp Nightjar for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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