Photo: H Gronvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Star-spotted Nightjar
Caprimulgus stellatus
Star-spotted Nightjar (Caprimulgus stellatus) — 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 Star-spotted Nightjar (Caprimulgus stellatus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 58.2 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 stellatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 58.2 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Star-spotted 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 Star-spotted Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Star-spotted Nightjar (Caprimulgus stellatus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family, within the order Caprimulgiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Ethiopia and Somalia to c Kenya.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 58.2 g, with a wing length of about 15.5 cm and a tail of around 9.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 124,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Star-spotted Nightjar?
The Star-spotted Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 58.2 g.
Where does the Star-spotted Nightjar live?
The Star-spotted Nightjar is found across Africa with a range covering AF Ethiopia and Somalia to c Kenya, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Star-spotted Nightjar belong to?
The Star-spotted Nightjar (Caprimulgus stellatus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Star-spotted Nightjar eat?
The Star-spotted Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Star-spotted Nightjar migrate?
The Star-spotted Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Star-spotted 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.
How large is the Star-spotted Nightjar's range?
The Star-spotted Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 124,000 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
Near Threatened
Extinct
More in Nightjars & Allies
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern