Egyptian Nightjar
Caprimulgus aegyptius
Large and pallid nightjar with long wings. Flight is powerful, but note that in flight lacks white wing patches and tail corners. Favors open and flat sandy or stony deserts. Song is a peculiar repeating coarse note, "Rrrruu rrruu rrruu…".
Identification
The variegated plumage is much paler than the European nightjar. The adult is sand-coloured, barred and streaked with buff and brown. The under parts are sandy or whitish. It is smaller, but relatively longer-winged and longer-tailed than the more widespread species. Like other nightjars, it has a wide gape, long wings, soft downy plumage and nocturnal habits. The male has tiny white wing spots. The length is 25 cm, and the wingspan 55 cm. Its call is a repetitive mechanical kroo-kroo-kroo…, which rises and falls as the bird turns its head from side to side.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus aegyptius
- Authority
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Caprimulgus
Range and habitat
The Egyptian nightjar is native to northern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East. Its range includes Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen. It is a rare visitor to Europe, and has occurred as a vagrant in Denmark, Germany, Italy, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Its typical habitat is open desert with a few scattered trees or bushes. It is often found near water in areas with sparse vegetation and scrub. Over-wintering birds in Sudan can be found in areas with long grass.
- Breeding range
- PAL, AF : nw AF to sc Asia
- Non-breeding range
- e, c, w AF
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
During the day, this crepuscular nightjar lies silent upon the ground, concealed by its plumage; it is difficult to detect, blending in with the sandy soil. It flies at dusk, most often at sundown, with an easy, silent moth-like flight; its strong and deliberate wingbeats alternate with sweeps and glides with motionless wings. Crepuscular insects, such as moths, are its food. No nest is made; the two elongated and elliptical eggs are placed upon the bare ground; the brooding bird, sitting closely, is their best protection. The population in northwestern Africa breeds in the desert and sandy steppe where there are areas with limestone outcrops, and overwinter in dry countryside with Artemisia, Tamarix and Salsola.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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