A small, nocturnal bird found in the open woodlands, savannas, and scrublands of eastern and central Africa, including countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and Tanzania. True to its name, this nightjar is known for its long, narrow tail feathers, which give it a more elegant silhouette compared to other nightjars. It’s a bird of the twilight hours—cryptic, silent during the day, and most active at dusk and dawn.
Its plumage is a mottled mix of brown, gray, and buff, with intricate patterns that perfectly mimic the appearance of dried leaves, bark, or ground cover. This camouflage is its primary defense, allowing it to rest during the day on the forest floor or low branches without being noticed. Males can be identified by their longer central tail feathers, especially during the breeding season.
At night, slender-tailed nightjars come alive, taking to the skies in silent, fluttering flight as they hunt for insects, especially moths, beetles, and flying ants. They feed on the wing, using their wide, gaping mouths to scoop up prey in midair. Their flight is graceful and buoyant, often low and erratic as they follow insect swarms or circle open clearings.
Though they are usually silent during the day, males become vocally active at night, especially in the breeding season. Their call is a series of short, repetitive clicks or churrs, which may sound like mechanical or insect-like trills, echoing softly across the savanna or bush. These calls help define territories and attract mates.
Slender-tailed nightjars do not build nests. Instead, they lay one or two eggs directly on the ground, often on bare soil, sand, or leaf litter. The eggs are camouflaged, and both parents may take turns incubating them, relying entirely on their stillness and cryptic coloring to avoid predators.
Distribution
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Ethiopia
Kenya
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
UgandaAnything 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
