Standard-winged Nightjar
Caprimulgus longipennis
Females and non-breeding males are ordinary-looking, fairly plain nightjars, but breeding males have absurd “standards” growing out of the middle of their wings. In flight, they give the impression of a nightjar being chased by two bats. Found in savanna, broadleaf woodland, forest clearings, and open fields. The call is a very high-pitched and insect-like series of “tit” notes. Female and non-breeding male distinguished from most other nightjars by their lack of white in the wings and tail. They are very similar to female and non-breeding male Pennant-winged Nightjar, but are smaller.
Identification
The adult male has a bizarre and unusual wing ornament during the breeding season which consists of a broad central flight feather on each wing elongated to 38 centimetres (15 in), much longer than the bird's body. 20 centimetres (7.9 in) or more of this is bare shaft. In normal flight, these feathers trail behind, but in display flight they are raised vertically like standards. Outside the breeding season, there are no plumage distinctions between the male and female.<p>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 is 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.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus longipennis
- Authority
- Shaw, 1796
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
It is a resident breeder in Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia. It is found in dry savannah habitats, with some scrub.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Like other nightjars, the standard-winged nightjar feeds on insects in flight, the huge gape opening wide for moths and beetles. It flies at dusk, most often at sundown, and can sometimes be seen with flying foxes.<p>No nest is made; the two elongated and elliptical eggs are placed upon the bare ground.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Buru Bush Warbler
Locustella disturbans
A sparrow-sized dark warbler with an often scruffy-looking, graduated tail. Has dark chestnut-brown upperparts, a whitish eyebrow, a distinct white throat, and dull grayish underparts. Formerly grouped with Buru Bush Warbler and Seram Bush Warbler under the name “Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler.” A secretive inhabitant of montane and foothill forest, often creeping around on or near the ground. Darker above and dingier below than Gray’s and Middendorff's Grasshopper-Warblers, and also has a clean-cut white throat; almost identical to Sulawesi and Seram Bush Warblers, but ranges do not overlap. Calls include a sharp metallic “chit” and a drawn-out, wavering buzzy note, “tzeeoooreee.” There is some variation in songs, which usually comprise three high-pitched buzzing notes, “tzeeee-tzeee-tzeee,” higher-pitched on the final note. Song includes a high, liquid-sounding “tzi-tzee”, as well as a longer, more repetitive “tzi-tzee, tzi-tzee, tzi-tzee.”

Flame-rumped Tanager
Ramphocelus flammigerus
Fairly large tanager found in open habitats in lowlands and foothills below 1,500 m. Male is all black with contrasting rump varying from lemon yellow to red. Female is dark blackish-brown above and yellow below, sometimes with an orange breast band. She also has a contrasting rump varying from lemon yellow to red. On both sexes, note stout silver bill with dark tip. Common and conspicuous in clearings, gardens, shrubby areas, and second growth, usually in pairs or small groups.

Samoan Fantail
Rhipidura nebulosa
Mostly dark grayish-brown with a pure white undertail, a black tail, a variable white or smudgy pale throat, and a fleck of white behind the eye. Long tail is often fanned. Prefers primary and secondary rainforest, but tolerates plantations and gardens. Common call is a quiet twitter. Sometimes imitates other bird species.
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