Long-trained Nightjar

Long-trained Nightjar

Macropsalis forcipata

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Itatiaia National Park
6 Verified sightings at Itatiaia National Park From 2019 to 2026
6 Verified sightings across 1 park From 2019 to 2026
March Best month highest sighting rate
🌙 Nocturnal When it's spotted during nighttime hours (6pm–6am)

About the Long-trained Nightjar

The long-trained nightjar (Hydropsalis forcipata) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Argentina and Brazil. Some authors have contended that the binomial Macropsalis creagra bestowed by Bonaparte in 1850 is correct, but consensus now is that the specific epithet forcipata has priority.

The long-trained nightjar was formerly the only species placed in the genus Macropsalis. Based on the results of a 2023 molecular genetic study by Thiago Costa and collaborators, the species is now placed with three other species in the genus Hydropsalis that was introduced in 1832 by Johann Georg Wagler. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.

The male long-trained nightjar has extremely long outer tail feathers from which the species gets its name. It is 28 to 31 cm (11 to 12 in) long excluding those feathers, which are 48 to 68 cm (19 to 27 in) long. Both sex's upperparts are brown with spots and bars of grayish brown, tawny, buff, and cinnamon. The wings are similarly colored, with none of the white that others in family Caprimulgidae have. They have a broad tawny or tawny buff collar on the hindneck... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Itatiaia National Park 🇧🇷 Brazil
<5%

More parks will be added in future updates.

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Long-trained Nightjar in Itatiaia National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Long-trained Nightjar sighting in Itatiaia National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Long-trained Nightjar in Itatiaia National Park?

March has the highest sighting rate for Long-trained Nightjar in Itatiaia National Park in our monthly data.

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