Image via Macaulay Library
Long-tailed Nightjar
- Scientific name
- Caprimulgus climacurus
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Long
Where it came from
The long-tailed nightjar, scientifically classified as Caprimulgus climacurus, is a member of the Caprimulgidae family, native to a broad range of sub-Saharan Africa. It was first described by the French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot in 1824. Evolutionarily, the species developed its distinctively long tail and broad wings as adaptations for nocturnal insect hunting in open woodlands and savanna habitats, allowing for the precise, agile flight necessary to capture prey on the wing.
The taxonomy and study of the long-tailed nightjar reflect the nineteenth-century European scientific effort to document African biodiversity. Recognized for its complex, cryptic plumage designed to provide camouflage against the forest floor during daylight hours, the bird has been a subject of interest for ornithologists studying nocturnal behavioral patterns. Its design represents a specialized ecological niche, balancing energy-efficient flight with the stealth required to thrive as a ground-nesting insectivore.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Long-tailed Nightjar
Long-tailed Nightjar is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Long-tailed Nightjar on collecto.rs?
Long-tailed Nightjar doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Long-tailed Nightjar?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Long-tailed Nightjar catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Long-tailed Nightjar is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
