Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Plain Nightjar
Caprimulgus inornatus
Plain Nightjar (Caprimulgus inornatus) — 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 Plain Nightjar (Caprimulgus inornatus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 50.3 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 inornatus
Where it lives
Mauritania and northern Senegal to Ethiopia and Somalia, also southwestern Arabian Pen.
Quick facts
- Weight
- 50.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Plain Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Plain Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Plain Nightjar (Caprimulgus inornatus) is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Mauritania and n Senegal to Ethiopia and Somalia, also sw Arabian Pen.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 50.3 g, with a wing length of about 15.3 cm and a tail of around 10.9 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 3.3 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Plain Nightjar?
The Plain Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 50.3 g.
Where does the Plain Nightjar live?
The Plain Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF Mauritania and n Senegal to Ethiopia and Somalia, also sw Arabian Pen, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Plain Nightjar belong to?
The Plain Nightjar (Caprimulgus inornatus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Plain Nightjar eat?
The Plain Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Plain Nightjar migrate?
The Plain Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Plain 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.
How large is the Plain Nightjar's range?
The Plain Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 3.3 million 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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