A wonderfully camouflaged, nocturnal bird found across large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, from woodlands and savannas to rocky outcrops and even urban rooftops. True to its name, this bird is speckled with a mix of gray, brown, and cream-colored markings, making it blend perfectly into dry leaves, stones, or gravel. During the day, it lies motionless on the ground, nearly invisible against its surroundings. But at night, it comes to life—fluttering silently through the air in search of insects.
This nightjar’s plumage is mottled and “freckled,” helping to break up its shape and texture, an adaptation that makes it extremely difficult to spot during daylight hours. Unlike some of its relatives, the freckled nightjar lacks the long tail streamers or bright wing patches seen in more showy species, but its cryptic coloration and haunting, throaty call make it a standout in its own right.
Freckled nightjars are insectivores, feeding mostly on flying insects like moths, beetles, and mosquitoes. They hunt by flying out from a perch or from the ground, catching their prey in mid-air with their wide, gaping mouths. Their large eyes help them see in low light, and their soft, silent wingbeats make them stealthy hunters. At night, they are often seen fluttering around streetlights, where insects gather, or gliding low over open ground.
Nesting is simple and well-suited to their camouflage strategy. Freckled nightjars lay their eggs directly on bare ground, gravel, or a rocky ledge—no nest materials are used. The eggs, usually just one or two, are similarly mottled to match the background. Both parents may take turns incubating, and the chicks are well-camouflaged from the moment they hatch. Because of this minimalist approach, they are highly vulnerable to predators and human disturbance, particularly if people or vehicles unknowingly enter nesting areas.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Ghana
Guinea
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
