Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar
Caprimulgus donaldsoni
Donaldson Smith's Nightjar (Caprimulgus donaldsoni) — Nightjars & Allies of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus donaldsoni) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 29 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Caprimulgiformes
- Family Caprimulgidae Nightjars
- Genus Caprimulgus
- Species donaldsoni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 29 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus donaldsoni) is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e Ethiopia and nw Somalia to ne Tanzania.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 29 g, with a wing length of about 13 cm and a tail of around 9.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 752,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar?
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar is a small bird that weighs around 29 g.
Where does the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar live?
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF e Ethiopia and nw Somalia to ne Tanzania, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar belong to?
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus donaldsoni) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar eat?
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar migrate?
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar's range?
The Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 752,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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