Photo: Jacques van der Merwe / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Fiery-necked Nightjar
Caprimulgus pectoralis
Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) — 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 Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 51.4 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 pectoralis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 51.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Fiery-necked Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Fiery-necked Nightjar is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, s, se, sc.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 51.4 g, with a wing length of about 16.4 cm and a tail of around 11.7 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 5.7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Fiery-necked Nightjar?
The Fiery-necked Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 51.4 g.
Where does the Fiery-necked Nightjar live?
The Fiery-necked Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, s, se, sc, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Fiery-necked Nightjar belong to?
The Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Fiery-necked Nightjar eat?
The Fiery-necked Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Fiery-necked Nightjar migrate?
The Fiery-necked Nightjar is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Fiery-necked 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 Fiery-necked Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Fiery-necked Nightjar can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Fiery-necked Nightjar's range?
The Fiery-necked Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 5.7 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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