Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Square-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus fossii
Square-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus fossii) — Nightjars & Allies of Africa.
Found across 5 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Square-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus fossii) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 58.3 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 fossii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 58.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Square-tailed Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Square-tailed Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Square-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus fossii) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family, within the order Caprimulgiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF sc, se.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 58.3 g, with a wing length of about 15.5 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 5.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Square-tailed Nightjar?
The Square-tailed Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 58.3 g.
Where does the Square-tailed Nightjar live?
The Square-tailed Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF sc, se, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Square-tailed Nightjar belong to?
The Square-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus fossii) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Square-tailed Nightjar eat?
The Square-tailed Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Square-tailed Nightjar migrate?
The Square-tailed Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Square-tailed 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 Square-tailed Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Square-tailed 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 Square-tailed Nightjar's range?
The Square-tailed Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 5.2 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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