Swamp Nightjar

Swamp Nightjar

Caprimulgus natalensis

Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Serengeti National Park
20 Verified sightings at Serengeti National Park From 2019 to 2026
342 Verified sightings across all 15 parks From 2019 to 2026
December Best month highest sighting rate
☀️🌙 Day & Night When it's spotted Active throughout day and night

About the Swamp Nightjar

The swamp nightjar or Natal nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis) is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family found in Africa. It is sparsely present across sub-Saharan Africa, albeit moreso in DR Congo and nearby countries.

The swamp nightjar can be found in swamps, marshes and bogs, but also in forest edges. Swamp nightjar - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds. Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Serengeti National Park

Square-tailed Nightjar
LC

Square-tailed Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus fossii

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

Slender-tailed Nightjar

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Caprimulgus clarus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Freckled Nightjar
LC

Freckled Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus tristigma

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Abyssinian Nightjar
LC

Abyssinian Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus poliocephalus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Pennant-winged Nightjar
LC

Pennant-winged Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus vexillarius

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Sombre Nightjar
LC

Sombre Nightjar

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Caprimulgus fraenatus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
European Nightjar
LC

European Nightjar

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Caprimulgus europaeus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Plain Nightjar
LC

Plain Nightjar

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Caprimulgus inornatus

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 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
2 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
3 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
4 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
<5%
5 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
6 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
7 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
8 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
9 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
10 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
11 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
<5%
12 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
13 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%
14 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
15 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Swamp Nightjar in Serengeti National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Swamp Nightjar sighting in Serengeti National Park, based on 20 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Swamp Nightjar in Serengeti National Park?

December has the highest sighting rate for Swamp Nightjar in Serengeti National Park in our monthly data.

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