Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)

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Image of a Large-tailed Nightjar in its natural habitat
Birds Nightjar

Introduction

The Large-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus, is a nocturnal member of the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae. It is recognised for its cryptic brown plumage, long tail, broad wings and distinctive white markings. The species occurs from the Indian subcontinent through mainland and island Southeast Asia to New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia. Its taxonomy has been revised in parts of this former species complex, so this account follows the species treatment used by the IOC World Bird List.

Physical Description

The Large-tailed Nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar, usually about 26–29 centimetres long, with a body mass reported at approximately 52–78 grams. It has long, pointed wings, a short dark bill, large eyes and a tail that extends noticeably beyond the wingtips when the bird is perched.

The plumage is predominantly rufous-brown, grey and black, with fine streaking, mottling and barring. This pattern provides effective camouflage among leaf litter, bark, soil and low vegetation during the day. A rich brown facial mask, paler edging around the ear coverts and a small pale or white throat mark are useful features.

White markings are especially important for identification. The folded wing shows a conspicuous pale or white spot, while the outer tail feathers have white or buff-white areas near the tips. These markings are generally more extensive and purer white in adult males. Females tend to have smaller, duller or more buff-coloured markings. Juveniles are usually softer and more uniformly mottled, and detailed ageing criteria remain limited. The adult wing measures approximately 170–195 millimetres, while the tail is about 128–151 millimetres in museum-based measurements.

Range and Habitat

The Large-tailed Nightjar has a broad distribution extending from the southern Himalayan region and the Indian subcontinent through Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China and the Malay Peninsula. It also occurs on islands in Southeast Asia, including parts of the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea, and reaches northern and eastern Australia. The exact range varies among recognised geographic forms, and some populations formerly included in the wider Caprimulgus macrurus complex are now treated separately by some taxonomic authorities.

It is generally resident, although local or seasonal movements may occur. In Australia, the species is concentrated in tropical northern areas and along parts of the Queensland coast and hinterland. It uses open forest, woodland edges, secondary growth, scrub, plantations, cultivated land, mangroves and other lightly wooded habitats. It may also occur in parks, gardens and other modified areas where suitable cover and abundant flying insects remain.

During daylight, the species usually rests on the ground, among leaf litter or in shaded vegetation. It may also perch on a low branch, particularly when calling. It can occur from lowland habitats to higher elevations, but most available records are associated with warm tropical or subtropical environments.

Behaviour and Diet

The Large-tailed Nightjar is primarily active from dusk through the night. It is usually encountered alone or in pairs and is regarded as territorial, particularly during the breeding season. Its flight is buoyant and comparatively silent, with the bird often making short sorties from the ground or a low perch to capture prey.

The diet consists mainly of flying insects, including moths, beetles and other nocturnal insects. It commonly forages over forest edges, clearings, roads, grassland and cultivated areas. Individuals may hunt around artificial lights, where insects gather, but this behaviour does not indicate dependence on urban habitats.

The call is a repeated, rhythmic series of notes, often described in field accounts as a soft “tok tok tok”. Vocalisations are used in territorial and breeding contexts and are often the best way to detect the species, since its plumage makes a stationary bird extremely difficult to see.

Nightjars do not build conventional nests. The female lays usually two eggs directly on the ground, commonly among leaf litter or on bare soil. The eggs are generally pale cream to light brown and may have faint speckling. Breeding information varies geographically, but Australian observations indicate an incubation period of roughly 16–18 days. Both sexes incubate and care for the young, with the male often taking a greater share of nocturnal incubation. Young birds remain camouflaged on the ground and can move away from the laying site soon after hatching.

Identification Tips

Look for the following combination of features:

  • A medium-sized, brown and grey nightjar with heavily mottled camouflage.
  • A long tail that projects beyond the wingtips when the bird is perched.
  • A noticeable brown facial mask and a small pale throat mark.
  • Pale or white spots on the folded wing and white or buff-white outer tail markings in flight.
  • Nocturnal activity, moth-like flight and a repeated, soft rhythmic call.
  • A preference for ground roosting in leaf litter, although low perches may also be used.

In Australia, the white tail-corner markings help separate the Large-tailed Nightjar from the White-throated Nightjar, which lacks the same conspicuous white tail pattern. The Spotted Nightjar is another possible source of confusion, but it generally shows different wing and tail spotting, and the two species differ in overall distribution and habitat preferences. Identification is safest when plumage, call, habitat and geographic range are considered together.

Conservation Status

The Large-tailed Nightjar is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It has a very large geographic range, and no reliable global population estimate is available. A precise global population trend should therefore not be inferred from local observations.

The species can use secondary growth, cultivated areas and some urban-edge habitats, but the loss and fragmentation of suitable woodland, scrub and ground-cover habitats may reduce local breeding opportunities. Disturbance at roosting or nesting sites, intensive vegetation clearance and declines in nocturnal insect abundance may also be relevant local pressures, although their importance is likely to vary across the range.

Conservation measures include retaining native woodland and scrub, protecting habitat mosaics with open ground and leaf litter, limiting unnecessary disturbance during breeding, and improving knowledge of population trends, distribution and breeding ecology. Because the species is difficult to detect by sight, acoustic surveys and targeted nocturnal fieldwork are valuable monitoring methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can the Large-tailed Nightjar be found?

It occurs from the Indian subcontinent through mainland and island Southeast Asia to New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia. Its distribution differs among geographic forms and taxonomic treatments.

What habitat does the Large-tailed Nightjar use?

It uses open woodland, forest edges, scrub, secondary growth, plantations, cultivated areas, mangroves and some parks or gardens near suitable natural habitat.

What does the Large-tailed Nightjar eat?

It feeds mainly on flying insects, including moths, beetles and other nocturnal insects captured during short aerial sorties.

Does the Large-tailed Nightjar build a nest?

No. It normally lays its eggs directly on the ground, often among leaf litter or on bare soil, without constructing a conventional nest.

How many eggs does it lay?

A typical clutch contains two eggs, although breeding details may vary between regions. Both parents take part in incubation and care of the young.

Is the Large-tailed Nightjar threatened?

The species is currently classified as Least Concern globally. Habitat loss and local disturbance may affect some populations, but there is no reliable global population estimate.

References

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