Fiery-necked nightjar

Caprimulgus pectoralis

SUBFAMILY

Caprimulginae

TAXONOMY

Caprimulgus pectoralis Cuvier, 1816, Western Cape, South Africa. Four subspecies.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

English: Pectoral nightjar; French: Engoulevent musicien; German: Pfeifnachtschwalbe; Spanish: Chotacabras Músico.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

9–10 in (23–25 cm); 1.2–2.5 oz (35–70 g). Dark brown, grayish brown, brownish white, buff, tawny, and white cryptic coloration. Sexually dimorphic.

DISTRIBUTION

Africa from Kenya and Angola south to South Africa.

HABITAT

Woodlands and forest edges.

BEHAVIOR

Roosts on ground during day; active mainly from dusk to dawn. Distinctive territorial song a whistled phrase rendered as Good Lord deliver us.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Catches insect prey on sallying flights from perches.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Unlined nest on ground with clutch usually of two eggs. Eggs are white to pale pink, usually with brownish spots. Incubation by female during day, by male at night, period 18 days. Small

young have brownish down. Young able to fly when about 18 days old.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Usually not noticed by local people, except for its nocturnal songs.