Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Long-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus climacurus
Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) — Nightjars & Allies of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 45.8 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 climacurus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 45.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Long-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 Long-tailed Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family, within the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, wc, w.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 45.8 g, with a wing length of about 14.3 cm and a tail of around 21.4 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 7.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Long-tailed Nightjar?
The Long-tailed Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 45.8 g.
Where does the Long-tailed Nightjar live?
The Long-tailed Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, wc, w, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Long-tailed Nightjar belong to?
The Long-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Long-tailed Nightjar eat?
The Long-tailed Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Long-tailed Nightjar migrate?
The Long-tailed Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Long-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 Long-tailed Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Long-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 Long-tailed Nightjar's range?
The Long-tailed Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 7.2 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.
Explore more birds
More in Caprimulgidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Nightjars & Allies
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Critically Endangered