Pennant-winged Nightjar
Caprimulgus vexillarius
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCaprimulgiformes (Nightjars and Allies)
- FamilyCaprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
- GenusCaprimulgus (Old World Nightjars)
- SpeciesCaprimulgus vexillarius (Pennant-winged Nightjar)
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 →
Recent sightings of Pennant-winged Nightjar in Masai Mara National Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Masai Mara National Reserve
Plain Nightjar
Caprimulgus inornatus
Swamp Nightjar
Caprimulgus natalensis
Abyssinian Nightjar
Caprimulgus poliocephalus
Freckled Nightjar
Caprimulgus tristigma
Square-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus fossii
Sombre Nightjar
Caprimulgus fraenatus
Slender-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus clarus
European Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeus
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 | |
| 2 | Kafue National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 3 | Murchison Falls National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 4 | Lake Mburo National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 5 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 6 | Akagera National Park | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | |
| 7 | South Luangwa National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 8 | Kidepo Valley National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 9 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 10 | Kibale National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 11 | Virunga National Park | 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| 12 | Serengeti National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 13 | Masai Mara National Reserve | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 14 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 15 | Nairobi National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 16 | Lower Zambezi National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 17 | Liwonde National Park | 🇲🇼 Malawi | |
| 18 | Ruaha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 19 | Meru National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 20 | Mikumi National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 21 | Aberdare National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 22 | Nyungwe National Park | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | |
| 23 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Pennant-winged Nightjar in Masai Mara National Reserve?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Pennant-winged Nightjar sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Pennant-winged Nightjar in Masai Mara National Reserve?
April has the highest sighting rate for Pennant-winged Nightjar in Masai Mara National Reserve in our monthly data.