Photo: Jan Steffen / CC BY-SA 2.0 de (Wikimedia Commons)
Standard-winged Nightjar
Caprimulgus longipennis
Standard-winged Nightjar (Caprimulgus longipennis) — 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 Standard-winged Nightjar (Caprimulgus longipennis) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 48 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 longipennis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 48 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Standard-winged Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Standard-winged Nightjar is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Standard-winged Nightjar (Caprimulgus longipennis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Senegal and Gambia to Liberia, e to sw Sudan and Uganda.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 48 g, with a wing length of about 17.3 cm and a tail of around 10.2 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 3.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Standard-winged Nightjar?
The Standard-winged Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 48 g.
Where does the Standard-winged Nightjar live?
The Standard-winged Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF Senegal and Gambia to Liberia, e to sw Sudan and Uganda, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Standard-winged Nightjar belong to?
The Standard-winged Nightjar (Caprimulgus longipennis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Standard-winged Nightjar eat?
The Standard-winged Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Standard-winged Nightjar migrate?
The Standard-winged Nightjar is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Standard-winged 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 Standard-winged Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Standard-winged Nightjar — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Standard-winged Nightjar's range?
The Standard-winged Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 3.9 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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