Photo: NatureAtYourBackyard, Flickr User / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Large-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus macrurus
Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) — Nightjars & Allies of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 66.2 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 macrurus
Where it lives
Eastern India to northern Australia, New Guinea region and Bismarck Arch.
Quick facts
- Weight
- 66.2 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Large-tailed 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 Large-tailed Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU e India to n Australia, New Guinea region and Bismarck Arch.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 66.2 g, with a wing length of about 17.9 cm and a tail of around 12.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 5.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Large-tailed Nightjar?
The Large-tailed Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 66.2 g.
Where does the Large-tailed Nightjar live?
The Large-tailed Nightjar is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU e India to n Australia, New Guinea region and Bismarck Arch, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Large-tailed Nightjar belong to?
The Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Large-tailed Nightjar eat?
The Large-tailed Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Large-tailed Nightjar migrate?
The Large-tailed Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Large-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 Large-tailed Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Large-tailed Nightjar can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Large-tailed Nightjar's range?
The Large-tailed Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 5.8 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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