The pennant-winged nightjar is a species of nightjar that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa. It is an intra-African migrant and displays remarkable sexual dimorphism in the breeding season.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from West and Central Africa (e.g., Nigeria and the Congo Basin) east to Tanzania and south to northern South Africa, with breeding concentrated in southern Africa in the austral summer. It favors open woodland and savanna mosaics, especially miombo and mopane, as well as sandy flats, grassy clearings, and the edges of burned areas. Roosts on the ground or low perches by day, relying on cryptic plumage. Outside the breeding season it shifts northwards to more equatorial regions within Africa.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This intra-African migrant is famed for the breeding male’s extraordinary elongated wing feathers that stream like black-and-white pennants in display flight. The ornaments are seasonal and are shed after breeding. By day it relies on superb mottled camouflage while roosting on the ground. At dusk males perform spectacular aerial displays over open clearings to attract females.
Temperament
nocturnal and secretive
Flight Pattern
buoyant, moth-like flight with short rapid wingbeats and glides; exaggerated display flights at dusk
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in loose, small groups at rich feeding sites. Males display over open areas to attract females during the breeding season. The nest is a simple scrape on the ground where 1–2 eggs are laid; both adults attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls include soft churring trills and mellow whistles delivered at dusk and during display. Display flights may be accompanied by audible wing claps and swooshing sounds from the elongated feathers.
