sp Full-range Bird Products!Green Tips & Products
Pet Bird Web | Breeder's Web | Birding / Wildlife Web | Home & Health Avianweb: Contact / Home

Resources

The Impact of Plastic Waste on our Oceans

Bird Species

Pennant-winged Nightjars

Nightjars

Pennant-winged NightjarThe Pennant-winged Nightjar (Macrodipteryx vexillarius) is an intra African migrant that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa.

Their preferred habitat south of the equator is plateau woodlands, especially Miombo, where they are partial to stony or boulder-strewn hillsides. They are observed as bi-annual and social passage migrants along the Kenyan Rift Valley and Lake Victoria regions, and spend the non-breeding season in subtropical savanna from Nigeria to Sudan.

The roost and nest are on bare ground, sometimes among leaf litter. When disturbed they may perch lengthwise on a branch, reminiscent of the similar-sized European Nightjar.


Description

The male is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries (longest wing feathers). In addition the males acquire a striking 9th primary feather during the breeding season. These pennants grow to greater lengths in successive years, up to twice the body length.

They are dropped or broken off quickly upon completion of breeding.

With the distal (1st) and proximal (7th to 9th) primaries (wing feathers) being longest, the wings of male birds are distinctly angular.


Diet / Feeding

Foraging birds emerge in the late afternoon or directly after sunset for crepuscular (twilight) feeding and are once again active before sunrise. Their diet includes a variety of insects although scarab beetles are favoured. They drink while flying slowly over a water surface.


Breeding / Nesting

Breeding takes place from spring to early summer while south of the equator. Males have separate display territories and attract passing females with an insect-like song. Males furthermore engage in display flights, low through woodland or at great height, wherein they may be joined by receptive females. Egg-laying coincides with the full moon. By mid-summer some birds start returning to the northern hemisphere.


Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org




Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info

The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!

Bird Watching Products


Cameras: The Latest Styles at Great Prices!

Bird Houses / Nesting Boxes: From Build-Your-Own to Collectibles and Practical Easy-Care Nest Boxes

Books and Movies for Kids


Electronics

Environmentally safe, non-toxic products for your home:



Home | © Copyright 2006 AvianWeb LLC - Disclaimers | For questions or comments, please contact Website Administrator: Sibylle Faye

All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. The Avianweb assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.