Slender-tailed Nightjar

Slender-tailed Nightjar

Caprimulgus clarus

Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
at Lake Manyara National Park
9 Verified sightings at Lake Manyara National Park From 2019 to 2026
560 Verified sightings across all 20 parks From 2019 to 2026
☀️🌙 Day & Night When it's spotted Active throughout day and night

About the Slender-tailed Nightjar

The slender-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus clarus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in parts of eastern and central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The slender-tailed nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar, measuring approximately 25–28 cm in length. It has cryptically patterned brown, grey, and black plumage, providing effective camouflage against dry ground and leaf litter. The head is relatively large and flattened, with a small bill and a very wide gape adapted for catching insects in flight. The tail is long and tapered, with the central feathers extending beyond the others, giving rise to the species’ common name.

Sexes are similar in appearance, though males may show slightly more prominent pale patches on the wings. No subspecies are currently recognized. The species is distributed across eastern and parts of central Africa. It inhabits dry, open environments including savanna, dry woodland, bushland, open scrub, rocky areas, and sparsely vegetated grassland. It is often associated with semi-arid regions and may occur... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Lake Manyara National Park

European Nightjar
LC

European Nightjar

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Caprimulgus europaeus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Square-tailed Nightjar
LC

Square-tailed Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus fossii

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 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
2 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
3 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
4 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
5 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
6 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
7 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
8 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
9 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
10 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
11 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
12 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
Insufficient data
13 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
14 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
15 Awash National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Insufficient data
16 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
17 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
18 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
19 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
20 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
← Back to Lake Manyara National Park