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Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar

Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar

Caprimulgus donaldsoni

Photo © Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová

Photo © Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová — CC BY 4.0 — Source: iNaturalist #105627213

ABOUT

Donaldson Smith's nightjar (Caprimulgus donaldsoni) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. It was named in honor of the 19th-century American explorer Arthur Donaldson Smith.

HOTSPOTS

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Amboseli National Park

Etonet/Lenkism ward·Kenya

+501 birds+43 mammals

Meru National Park

Igembe Central·Kenya

+408 birds+38 mammals

Samburu National Reserve

+430 birds+42 mammals

Tarangire National Park

+527 birds+50 mammals

Tsavo East National Park

Athi ward·Kenya

+468 birds+50 mammals

Tsavo West National Park

+513 birds+49 mammals

Wildlife Sanctuary

Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary

Bedewera·Ethiopia

+359 birds+5 mammals

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Biological profile

Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar

A compact view of how this species lives, moves and responds to its environment.

The species at a glance

Select a card to explore the details.

Movement

Does it remain in the same area?: It generally remains in the same region
How does it move?: Local Ranging
Can its movements be anticipated?: Yes, its movements tend to repeat
Do its movements change with the seasons?: Yes, they follow a seasonal cycle

Activity

When is it active?: Most active around dawn and duskMainly active at night
Does it have inactive periods?: No known inactive period

How to detect it

Is it easy to find?: Difficult to find
How can you detect it?: Acoustic
Does it tend to hide?: Yes, it often goes unnoticed
Do you need a specific technique?: Yes, a specific technique is usually needed
Which seasonal signs help?: Vocal Display

Habitat

Which environment does it live in?: Terrestrial
Which places does it prefer?: Shrubland
Can it adapt to different habitats?: It needs very specific habitats
At what level of the habitat does it move?: GroundUnderstory

Feeding

What kind of food does it eat?: Insectivore
How does it get its food?: Aerial Hawking

Social life

Does it usually live alone or in a group?: It usually lives alone
Does it gather at certain times?: It does not usually gather seasonally

Reproduction

How does it breed?: Territorial
Where does it breed?: Ground
Key moments in its annual cycle: Egg Laying · Annual Cycle ConsistentCourtship Display · Annual Cycle Consistent

Spatial ecology

Does it defend a territory?: Seasonal
How far does it usually travel?: Within a local area
In which major regions does it live?: Afrotropical

Sensitivity

Is it affected by human disturbance?: Very sensitive — it needs distance and little disturbance
When does it need the most space?: Nest

Global profile. Local behaviour and timing may vary.

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