Want to know where and when to find Square tailed Nightjar? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Square tailed Nightjar in South Africa
About the Square tailed Nightjar
The square-tailed nightjar is a nocturnal bird of southern and eastern Africa, associated mainly with woodland, savanna and other open habitats. Its cryptic brown, grey and buff plumage provides excellent camouflage when resting on the ground or a low perch during the day. It becomes active at dusk and at night, feeding mainly on flying insects captured in flight. Its distinctive calls are often easier to detect than the bird itself.
How to identify the Square tailed Nightjar
Medium-sized nightjar with cryptic brown, grey and buff plumage that provides excellent camouflage against leaf litter and bare ground. Large dark eyes, broad rounded wings and a wide, whiskered-looking mouth are characteristic.
Did you know?
Like other nightjars, it is highly adapted to nocturnal hunting and can catch flying insects in darkness using its extremely wide gape.
Also known as: Vierkantstertnaguil, Nightjar
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Square tailed Nightjar, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.