Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus)
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Long-tailed Nightjar

Caprimulgus climacurus Vieillot, 1824

46 gWeight

The long-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) is one of 98 species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae, the "true nightjars".

Busiest months: November · Most records: Ghana, Gambia, Senegal

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: November · Most records: Ghana, Gambia, Senegal

Long-tailed Nightjar has been recorded at 103 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 19 countries and regions.

Records by month Northern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Brufut WoodsGambia280 records
  2. Mole NP – Asibey Loop/Haraba track vicinityGhana225 records
  3. Mole NPGhana145 records
More places
  1. PN des Oiseaux du DjoudjSenegal94 records
  2. Shai Hills Resource ReserveGhana84 records
  3. Farasuto Forest Community NRGambia57 records
  4. Bango – Djeuss et berges jusqu'à SanarSenegal55 records
  5. Amurum Forest ReserveNigeria48 records
  6. Shai Hills RR – Kandra RouteGhana47 records
  7. Campement de WassadouSenegal44 records

Countries and regions with the most records

GhanaGambiaSenegalNigeriaUgandaCameroonGabonChad

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The long-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) is one of 98 species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae, the "true nightjars". It is a nocturnal, insectivorous bird characterized by its distinctive long tail. It is found throughout mainland Africa in open areas, arid semi-deserts, and savannas, with common sightings alongside roadways.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Long-tailed Nightjar?

The Long-tailed Nightjar weighs around 46 g.

Where does the Long-tailed Nightjar live?

Its breeding range: Africa: central, west-central, western. It is most often recorded in Ghana, Gambia and Senegal.

When is the best time to see the Long-tailed Nightjar?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in November (Northern Hemisphere).

Is the Long-tailed Nightjar endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Long-tailed Nightjar as Least Concern.

What does the Long-tailed Nightjar eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the Long-tailed Nightjar in?

It belongs to the family Nightjars (Caprimulgidae), order Caprimulgiformes.

At a glance

Weight
46 g
Habitat
Forest
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Feeds in the air
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
143 mm
Tail
214 mm
Bill
16 mm
Tarsus
18 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: central, west-central, western

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Family
Nightjars Caprimulgidae
Genus
Caprimulgus

Other birds in the genus Caprimulgus

Red-necked NightjarRed-necked NightjarCaprimulgus ruficollisJungle NightjarJungle NightjarCaprimulgus indicusGrey NightjarGrey NightjarCaprimulgus jotakaPalau NightjarPalau NightjarCaprimulgus phalaenaEuropean NightjarEuropean NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSombre NightjarSombre NightjarCaprimulgus fraenatusRufous-cheeked NightjarRufous-cheeked NightjarCaprimulgus rufigenaEgyptian NightjarEgyptian NightjarCaprimulgus aegyptiusSykes's NightjarSykes's NightjarCaprimulgus mahrattensisNubian NightjarNubian NightjarCaprimulgus nubicusGolden NightjarGolden NightjarCaprimulgus eximiusJerdon's NightjarJerdon's NightjarCaprimulgus atripennis
Long-tailed Nightjar

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Nik Borrow. ↗

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