The standard-winged nightjar is one of the most extraordinary birds in all of Africa — the breeding male develops two elongated inner wing feathers that extend into long bare shafts tipped with broad oval vanes, producing streamers that can reach 38 centimetres, and these “standards” are carried in an upright position during the male’s display flight at dusk, creating one of the most bizarre and memorable bird displays visible anywhere in East Africa. Murchison Falls is the best Uganda site on any Uganda safari.
- Scientific name: Caprimulgus longipennis — named for the extraordinary elongated inner primary feathers of the breeding male
- Uganda sites: Murchison Falls NP (best site), northern Uganda savannah, Queen Elizabeth NP northern area
- When to see: a breeding migrant in Uganda; present roughly October-April when males have full standards; non-breeding birds present year-round
- Behaviour: nocturnal insectivore; roosts on ground or branches by day; males display at dusk with raised standards in flight
The standard-winged nightjar is one of the most extraordinary birds in all of Africa. The breeding male develops two elongated inner wing feathers that extend into long bare shafts tipped with broad oval vanes, producing streamers that can reach 38 centimetres — longer than the bird itself. In flight this male looks like nothing else on earth, trailing what appears to be two flying pennants from its wings.
In Uganda this remarkable species is present during the northern winter months when breeding males are in full display plumage. It is a must-see bird for visiting naturalists and is found in woodland savannah and forest edge habitats across the country. In 2027 spotting a standard-winged nightjar in full plumage is one of Uganda’s supreme wildlife experiences.
Identification
Outside the breeding season both sexes look like other nightjars — cryptically patterned brown and grey birds that are nearly invisible when roosting on the ground during the day. The intricate bark-like pattern provides superb camouflage. Eyes are large and dark, adapted for nocturnal vision. The bill is tiny but the gape is enormous for catching flying insects.
Breeding males develop the extraordinary standard feathers from the inner primaries. These feathers initially have a normal vane along part of their length, which is moulted away to leave a bare shaft with an oval vane at the tip. In display flight the male flies in circles around a female with the standards held upright, creating a literally unique spectacle in the bird world.
Habitat and Distribution in Uganda
The standard-winged nightjar is found in woodland savannah, bushland, and forest edges across Uganda. It is most common in the drier northern and western regions but occurs throughout the country in suitable habitat. The best areas for encountering this species include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and the open woodland areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The species is intra-African migrant — it breeds in the Sahel region and moves south during the northern winter. In Uganda it is present roughly from August to April. Breeding males in full standard plumage are most spectacular from about October to February. After this period the standards are shed and the males become much harder to identify.
Nocturnal Behaviour
Like all nightjars, the standard-winged nightjar is primarily nocturnal. During the day it roosts on the ground in leaf litter or on a bare branch, relying on its camouflage to avoid detection. At dusk it becomes active, hawking flying insects with its enormous gape. The churring calls of nightjars are a characteristic sound of African savannah nights.
Night game drives in Uganda’s national parks provide the best opportunities to see nightjars. The eyes reflect strongly in torchlight — a pair of orange-red glowing spots on the track ahead is often a nightjar sitting on a road. Standard-winged nightjars are regularly encountered on spotlight drives in Murchison Falls and other parks.
Display and Breeding
The display of the standard-winged nightjar is one of the most remarkable spectacles in African birdwatching. The male flies in elaborate circular patterns around and over a perched female, his standard feathers held perpendicular to the body and vibrating in the wind. The standards make a distinctive fluttering sound during display flight. Females assess multiple displaying males before choosing a mate.
After mating the female incubates two eggs alone in a simple scrape on the ground. The eggs are cryptically patterned to match the ground surface. Chicks hatch after about 17 days and are immediately capable of limited movement. They fledge at about 20 to 25 days.
Photography Tips
Photographing the standard-winged nightjar requires a night visit with a spotlight or torch. The eyes glow bright orange-red in torch light, making the birds easy to locate on roads and open ground. A camera with good high-ISO performance is essential for adequate exposure in low light. Flash photography illuminates the extraordinary standard feathers of displaying males — try to capture both the bird and the trailing pennants in a single frame.
During display flights the male makes repeated passes, giving multiple opportunities for shots. A fast shutter speed of at least 1/500s is needed to freeze the wing movement. Ask your night drive guide to locate displaying males early in the evening when energy levels are highest.
Include This on Your 2027 Uganda Safari
The gorilla trekking permit costs $800 in 2027. Night game drives in Uganda’s national parks offer the chance to see not just the standard-winged nightjar but also bushbabies, genets, civets, and other nocturnal wildlife. Contact us to plan a 2027 Uganda safari that includes both gorilla trekking and evening wildlife drives to maximise your wildlife encounters.
What exactly are the “standards” of the standard-winged nightjar?
The standards are among the most extraordinary feather structures in bird evolution. What they are: the second innermost primary feather (the 9th primary) on each wing is modified in the breeding male; the feather shaft is elongated to up to 38cm; for most of the shaft’s length the barbs are absent leaving a bare wire; at the tip a broad oval vane is present. In flight: the male holds these feathers raised above the body during display flight; the oval vanes appear to float above and behind the flying bird like two flags; the effect in the fading dusk light is extraordinary. Why develop them: sexual selection; females prefer males with longer standards; the feathers are a handicap in normal flight (making the male more visible to predators) but this cost is outweighed by the mating advantage. After breeding: the standards are moulted after the breeding season; non-breeding males look like females without standards.
Where and when can you see the standard-winged nightjar in Uganda?
Seeing this species requires the right site and timing. Best site: Murchison Falls NP is Uganda’s most reliable location; the open savannah of the Buligi circuit north of the Nile is the area where most Uganda sightings occur. When to go: breeding birds with full standards are present roughly October to April; the standards grow during the breeding season and are at their longest in the peak display period of November to February; non-breeding birds present year-round but lack standards. Time of day: nightjars are crepuscular and nocturnal; the best viewing is at dusk and shortly after; males display in the first 30-60 minutes after sunset; a night drive at Murchison can produce multiple sightings. Daytime: roosts on the ground or on a horizontal branch; cryptic plumage makes it almost invisible by day unless found by a guide who knows the roost sites.
What other nightjar species can be seen in Uganda?
Uganda has a diverse nightjar list across its habitats. Pennant-winged nightjar: another extraordinary species with a modified wing feather — the elongated 9th primary is entirely webbed in the pennant-winged; present in northern Uganda savannah; a second spectacularly ornamented species. African white-tailed nightjar: common in open savannah throughout Uganda; the male has white outer tail feathers visible in display flight. Square-tailed nightjar: a common forest-edge species; found in many Uganda habitats. Slender-tailed nightjar: dry savannah; north Uganda. Fiery-necked nightjar: calls with a distinctive “good lord deliver us” song; common in savannah throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Nightjar identification: most nightjars are very similar; identification relies on call, the presence of white in wing or tail, and habitat; a specialist birding guide adds value greatly for nightjar identification in Uganda.
How do nightjars catch insects and what do they eat?
Nightjars are specialist aerial insect hunters. Feeding technique: nightjars fly low over the savannah, grassland, or forest edge at dusk and through the night; they catch insects in flight using their wide gape — the bill opens extremely wide and is fringed with bristles that help funnel insects into the mouth. Prey: large moths, beetles, termites, and other flying insects; a single nightjar can consume hundreds of insects per night. Eyes: very large eyes give excellent low-light vision; the tapetum lucidum (reflective layer behind the retina) produces the eyeshine seen in headlights at night as distinctive red or orange glowing spots. Spotting by eyeshine: the standard method for finding nightjars at night in Uganda is to scan roads and open ground with a torch or spotlight from a vehicle; the eyeshine gives away roosting birds on the ground.
Can you do a night drive at Murchison Falls specifically to see the standard-winged nightjar?
Night drives at Murchison Falls are the primary vehicle for seeing this species. Night drive availability: UWA permits guided night game drives at Murchison Falls NP; book through your lodge or directly with UWA; a ranger must accompany the vehicle. What to expect: standard-winged nightjars displaying at dusk over the savannah; the display flight is often seen from the vehicle; other night species include African civets, bush babies, leopards, and various owls and nocturnal birds. Best time: the first hour after dusk is the peak display period; October-February is the most reliable period for standard-winged nightjar with full plumes. Cost: night drives have a separate UWA activity fee on top of the park entry; typically USD 15-30 per person in addition to standard fees; confirm current rates with your operator.
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