The Cayenne nightjar is a species of bird in the nightjar family only known from a single specimen, a male taken on the Fleuve Mana, French Guiana, in 1917. However, a possible female was caught at the Saül airstrip, French Guiana, in 1982.
Region
The Guianas
Typical Environment
The species is only confirmed from French Guiana and is presumed to inhabit lowland tropical forest landscapes. It likely uses forest edges, river corridors, and natural openings or clearings, consistent with the habits of similar nightjars. Occurrence may be patchy and very localized, which, combined with nocturnal habits, makes detection difficult. Its true range, habitat specificity, and extent of occurrence remain uncertain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Known from a single confirmed specimen collected on the Mana River (Fleuve Mana) in French Guiana in 1917, with a possible female captured at the Saül airstrip in 1982. Its taxonomic placement and relationship to similar Neotropical nightjars remain poorly understood, and virtually nothing is known about its ecology. Field identification is complicated because many nightjars are extremely cryptic and active mostly at night.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
buoyant, silent, with short rapid wingbeats and glides
Social Behavior
Likely nests on the ground in sparse leaf litter or on open substrate, as in other nightjars. Typically solitary or in pairs during breeding. Courtship and nesting phenology are undocumented but probably resemble related Neotropical nightjars.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are unknown, but by analogy with related species may consist of repetitive churring or whistled phrases given at dusk and night. Calls may include soft chips or trills during territorial or courtship displays.
Plumage
Cryptic mottled plumage with a mix of browns, greys, and buff, providing strong camouflage against leaf litter and sandy substrates.
Diet
An aerial insectivore that most likely takes moths, beetles, and other flying insects on the wing. It probably forages by sallying from the ground or low perches and by coursing along open edges. Prey choice and seasonal variation are unstudied.
Preferred Environment
Forages along riverbanks, airstrips, tracks, forest gaps, and other open or semi-open habitats near forest. Activity is concentrated in low-light conditions along edges where insect abundance is high.
