Pennant-winged Nightjar
Caprimulgus vexillarius
Breeding males have extraordinary “pennants” growing out of their wings. Non-breeding males are still distinctive due to the huge white patches on the wings. Females are very drab, and lack white in the wing or tail, unlike most nightjars. This is a migratory species that is found in many different habitats on migration and during the non-breeding season. Breeds in moist savanna and broadleaved woodland, especially miombo. Song is a slow, squeaky trill. Female is similar to Standard-winged Nightjar, but is larger and has more barring in the wings.
Identification
The male of the species is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries. In addition the males acquire a striking 2nd primary feather during the breeding season. These pennant feathers grow to greater lengths in successive years, up to twice the body length. They are dropped or broken off quickly upon completion of breeding. With the distal (9th) and proximal (1st - 3rd) primaries being longest, the wings of male birds are distinctly angular.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus vexillarius
- Authority
- (Gould, 1838)
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
Their preferred habitat south of the equator is plateau woodlands, especially Miombo, where they are partial to stony or boulder-strewn hillsides. They are observed as bi-annual and social passage migrants along the Kenyan Rift Valley and Lake Victoria regions, and spend the non-breeding season in subtropical savanna from Nigeria to Sudan.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chestnut-bellied Guan
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Medium-sized guan with a long tail. Note the whitish eyebrow. Dark brown above and chestnut below. Favors woodlands with wet areas and gallery forests, both rich in woody lianas. Normally feeds in the canopy, but may also descend to the ground. In alarm gives a raucous barking call, similar to other guans. Less common than the similar Rusty-margined Guan; Chestnut-bellied has more prominent pale eyebrow and white-streaked back.
Dayak Blue Flycatcher
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A medium-sized flycatcher with strikingly different male and female plumages. Male is beautifully colored, with deep blue upperparts, mostly orange underparts, and a white belly. Female is much duller, with a grayish head, gray-brown wings, a rufous tail, and rufous underparts. Scarce and local in the understory of hill forest. Song is jumble of melodious warbling and whistling notes. The calls are loud “chek” or “sit” notes, and are often mixed into the song. Similar to Bornean Blue Flycatcher, but darker, especially on the belly (in both sexes) and back (in the male). Also similar to Sunda Blue Flycatcher, but darker overall and shorter-billed. Dayak Blue Flycatcher is further distinguished by the less extensive black chin patch of the male and the rufous rather than blue tail of the female.
Pigeon Guillemot
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Small jet-black seabird of coastal areas of the Pacific. Breeding plumage is black with bold white wing patch and bright red legs. Plumage changes dramatically in winter to whitish overall with dusky markings on body and black wingtips. Often found in shallower coastal waters than other alcids and regularly seen from shore. Dives to hunt for fish and invertebrates. Nests in crevice or burrow in a cliff or around large rocks.
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