The swallow-tailed nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid montane and cloud forests of the Andes in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It favors forest edges, clearings, landslides, roadsides, and streamside openings where aerial insects concentrate. The species also uses secondary growth and patches of elfin forest above continuous cloud forest. It roosts on the ground or low branches in shaded, mossy areas and forages along linear openings at night.
Altitude Range
1600–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The swallow-tailed nightjar is an Andean nightjar noted for the male’s dramatically elongated, deeply forked tail streamers. By day it roosts cryptically on branches or on the ground, relying on mottled plumage for camouflage. It becomes active at dusk, flying silently along forest edges to catch insects on the wing. Its presence is often detected more by its soft whistles and trills than by direct sightings.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
buoyant, moth-like flight with short glides and fluttering bursts
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside the breeding season, with males displaying at dusk from perches or in flight. Nests are simple scrapes on leaf litter with typically one or two eggs, relying on camouflage rather than constructed nests. Adults show distraction displays if a predator nears the nest. Pair bonds are formed locally on suitable edges and clearings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of soft, whistled phrases and liquid trills delivered at dusk and night, often from a low perch. Also gives abrupt ‘chik’ or ‘tchik’ contact calls during foraging. Vocal activity peaks around dawn and dusk and on moonlit nights.
