Pennant-winged Nightjar

Pennant-winged Nightjar

Caprimulgus vexillarius

Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
at Chobe National Park
3 Verified sightings at Chobe National Park From 2019 to 2026
346 Verified sightings across all 23 parks From 2019 to 2026
🌅 Crepuscular When it's spotted at dawn and dusk

About the Pennant-winged Nightjar

The pennant-winged nightjar (Caprimulgus vexillarius) is a species of nightjar that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa. It is an intra-African migrant and displays remarkable sexual dimorphism in the breeding season.

Their preferred habitat south of the equator is plateau woodlands, especially Miombo, where they are partial to stony or boulder-strewn hillsides. They are observed as bi-annual and social passage migrants along the Kenyan Rift Valley and Lake Victoria regions, and spend the non-breeding season in subtropical savanna from Nigeria to Sudan.

The male of the species is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries. In addition the males acquire a striking 2nd primary feather during the breeding season. These pennant feathers grow to greater lengths in successive years, up to twice the body length. They are dropped or broken off quickly upon completion of breeding. With the distal (9th) and proximal (1st - 3rd) primaries being longest, the wings of male birds are distinctly angular.

Foraging birds emerge in the late afternoon or directly after sunset for crepuscular feeding and... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Chobe National Park

Square-tailed Nightjar
LC

Square-tailed Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus fossii

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Fiery-necked Nightjar
LC

Fiery-necked Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus pectoralis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Swamp Nightjar
LC

Swamp Nightjar

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Caprimulgus natalensis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
LC

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Caprimulgus rufigena

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Freckled Nightjar
LC

Freckled Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus tristigma

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
European Nightjar
LC

European Nightjar

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Caprimulgus europaeus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~10%
2 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
3 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
4 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
5 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
<5%
6 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
<5%
7 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
8 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
9 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
10 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
11 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%
12 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
13 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
14 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
15 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
16 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
17 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
Insufficient data
18 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
19 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
20 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
21 Aberdare National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
22 Nyungwe National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
Insufficient data
23 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
Insufficient data
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