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Sombre Nightjar

Sombre Nightjar

Caprimulgus fraenatus

Photo © Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová

Photo © Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová — CC BY 4.0 — Source: iNaturalist photo #177267171

ABOUT

The sombre nightjar or dusky nightjar (Caprimulgus fraenatus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is native to East Africa.

HOTSPOTS

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Aberdare National Park

Mweiga ward·Kenya

+394 birds+30 mammals

Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park

+438 birds+7 mammals

Amboseli National Park

Etonet/Lenkism ward·Kenya

+501 birds+43 mammals

Arusha National Park

+555 birds+16 mammals

Awash National Park

Didiga·Ethiopia

+473 birds+23 mammals

Hell’s Gate National Park

Olkaria ward·Kenya

+388 birds+18 mammals

Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru West·Kenya

+494 birds+32 mammals

Meru National Park

Igembe Central·Kenya

+408 birds+38 mammals

Mkomazi National Park

Gonja·Tanzania

+430 birds+38 mammals

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Where to see & photograph the Sombre Nightjar (10 more) →

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Biological profile

Sombre 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 RangingDispersal
Can its movements be anticipated?: Yes, its movements tend to repeat
Do its movements change with the seasons?: No, they are not tied to one season
Do all populations follow the same calendar?: Yes, broadly speaking

Activity

When is it active?: Active at different times by day and nightMainly 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?: AcousticVisual
Does it tend to hide?: Yes, it often goes unnoticed
Do you need a specific technique?: Sometimes a specific technique helps
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 tolerates some variety of habitats
At what level of the habitat does it move?: AerialUnderstory

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

Spatial ecology

Does it defend a territory?: Yes, it defends a territory
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?: Observe it calmly and keep your distance
When does it need the most space?: Nest

Global profile. Local behaviour and timing may vary.

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