Have you ever woken up at night and heard the call of nightjars? It is probably one of the most iconic sounds of the African bush, like the call of the fish eagle and yes … of the hadeda ibis!
The fiery-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) is a small bird that at most only grows to a length of about 25 cm. When the chicks hatch, they are about 5 cm in length and weigh in the region of 5 grams. They are widespread in Africa south of the equator and prefer savannas or wooded areas where they can catch flying insects to their heart’s content by swooping down on them like hawks. As their name suggests, they are at their busiest between sunset and dawn.
Two eggs are usually laid twice per breeding season (August to October) and the chicks are immediately fairly self-sufficient when they hatch. Nests are built on sandy patches under trees or shrubs. Their mottled brown appearance helps to camouflage them when they are breeding.
In addition to their characteristic call, they also make other sounds to warn each other of impending danger or to guide chicks away from peril. During the breeding season, they are less likely to sing, because they do not want to draw attention to their nests.
Pairs stay together for life and will not settle too far from the area where they hatched – they are not migratory birds. Because they are so widely distributed, they are not currently considered to be threatened.
Different types of nightjars are found worldwide. Are there any in your vicinity?
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