Brown Nightjar
Veles binotatus
Brown Nightjar (Veles binotatus) — Nightjars & Allies of Africa.
The Brown Nightjar (Veles binotatus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 63 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 Veles
- Species binotatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 63 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Brown Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Brown Nightjar is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Brown Nightjar (Veles binotatus) is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Liberia to c DR Congo.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 63 g, with a wing length of about 14.9 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 702,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Brown Nightjar?
The Brown Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 63 g.
Where does the Brown Nightjar live?
The Brown Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF Liberia to c DR Congo, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Brown Nightjar belong to?
The Brown Nightjar (Veles binotatus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Brown Nightjar eat?
The Brown Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Brown Nightjar migrate?
The Brown Nightjar is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Brown 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 Brown Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Brown Nightjar can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Brown Nightjar's range?
The Brown Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 702,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Caprimulgidae
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Nightjars & Allies
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern