Overview
Resting flat against bare earth, stones or fallen leaves, the slender-tailed nightjar can be almost impossible to see. Its mottled brown, grey and black plumage breaks up the outline of its body, allowing it to remain concealed throughout the day.
As dusk arrives, the bird takes flight to hunt moths, beetles and other airborne insects. Its broad mouth opens into a remarkably wide gape, helping it capture prey while flying through the darkness.
In Tanzania, the slender-tailed nightjar inhabits dry bushland, open scrub, lightly wooded savannah and rocky country. It is often detected by its call before it is seen, although birds may occasionally be picked out resting on tracks or bare ground after dark.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a medium-sized nightjar with a broad, flattened head, large dark eyes, long pointed wings and a distinctly long, tapered tail. The body measures approximately 25–28 cm, with the central tail feathers extending beyond the others to create the slender profile that gives the species its name.
Its intricately patterned plumage closely resembles dry leaves, soil and bark. During daylight, the bird remains motionless on the ground or occasionally on a low branch, often relying on camouflage until an approaching animal comes extremely close.
At dusk and during the night, it launches into light, agile flight to catch insects in the air. Nightjars have soft-edged flight feathers that reduce the sound of their wingbeats, allowing them to move through the darkness with little noise.
Interesting facts
Its long tail gives the species its name. The central feathers extend beyond the rest of the tail, producing a noticeably narrow, tapered shape.
It lays its eggs directly on the ground. Like other nightjars, it does not build a conventional nest, instead relying on camouflage to conceal the eggs and sitting bird.
It may remain hidden until almost stepped upon. Its plumage and motionless posture make daytime birds exceptionally difficult to detect.