Swamp Nightjar
Caprimulgus natalensis
Medium-sized, typical nightjar with strong scaly markings on the back. Both sexes have a broad pale patch on the outer tail that is white in males and buff in females. Found in wet grassland and open savanna, including palm savanna. Song is a distinctive series of loud “chow” notes. Most similar to Square-tailed Nightjar, but has larger pale patches in the outer tail and a blackish cheek. Male Swamp Nightjar lacks a white trailing edge to the wing in flight. Also similar to Montane Nightjar, but paler, lacks rufous collar, and has little overlap in either habitat or range.
Identification
The swamp nightjar or Natal nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis) is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family found in Africa.
Taxonomy
Genus: Caprimulgus; Family: Caprimulgidae; Order: Caprimulgiformes.
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus natalensis
- Authority
- Smith, A, 1845
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The swamp nightjar can be found in swamps, marshes and bogs, but also in forest edges.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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