Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Freckled Nightjar
Caprimulgus tristigma
Freckled Nightjar (Caprimulgus tristigma) — 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 Freckled Nightjar (Caprimulgus tristigma) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 79 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 tristigma
Quick facts
- Weight
- 79 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Freckled Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Freckled Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Freckled Nightjar (Caprimulgus tristigma) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 79 g, with a wing length of about 17.2 cm and a tail of around 11.5 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 4.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Freckled Nightjar?
The Freckled Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 79 g.
Where does the Freckled Nightjar live?
The Freckled Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Freckled Nightjar belong to?
The Freckled Nightjar (Caprimulgus tristigma) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Freckled Nightjar eat?
The Freckled Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Freckled Nightjar migrate?
The Freckled Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Freckled 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 Freckled Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Freckled 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 Freckled Nightjar's range?
The Freckled Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 4.6 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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