Planning a trip to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Fiery necked Nightjar in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Fiery necked Nightjar are most active late afternoon into dusk (17:00 to 20:00) and at night (18:00 to 06:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Fiery necked Nightjar's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
Where to look for Fiery necked Nightjar in Rietvlei Nature Reserve: best roads
Drive
Acacia Route, Vleiroete Road and Main Road run through open grassland: good country for Fiery necked Nightjar.
- Acacia Route7.4 km · open grassland
- Vleiroete Road5.7 km · open grassland
- Main Road4.6 km · open grassland
Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Fiery necked Nightjar have actually been seen recently.
About the Fiery necked Nightjar
The fiery-necked nightjar is a nocturnal bird of southern and eastern Africa, commonly associated with woodland, savanna and forest edges. It has cryptic brown, grey and buff plumage that makes it extremely difficult to see when resting on the ground or a low branch during the day. It becomes active around dusk and at night, feeding mainly on flying insects caught in the air. Its distinctive repeated call is often the easiest way to detect its presence.
How to identify the Fiery necked Nightjar
Medium-sized nightjar with cryptic mottled brown, grey and buff plumage, large dark eyes and a broad mouth. Males often show distinctive white markings on the wings and tail, while females have smaller, less conspicuous pale markings.
Other species to look for in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Other parks where you can see Fiery necked Nightjar
Heading to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? opspoor shows where Fiery necked Nightjar have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.