The Somali Nightjar is a cryptically patterned species found in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Horn of Africa. Its plumage provides excellent camouflage against the dry, stony ground where it typically rests.
Where to spot
Endemic to the Horn of Africa, primarily found in Somalia, Ethiopia, and possibly Kenya, inhabiting arid shrubland, savanna, and stony plains.
How to spot
Listen for its characteristic calls, often a series of rapid 'churrs' or 'trills', particularly at dusk. Use a spotlight to scan open areas, dirt tracks, and clearings where it might rest on the ground, looking for its reflective eyes.
When to spot
Primarily nocturnal, active during dusk and dawn, and through the night. It is most vocal during breeding season.
Where to spot
Endemic to the Horn of Africa, primarily found in Somalia, Ethiopia, and possibly Kenya, inhabiting arid shrubland, savanna, and stony plains.
How to spot
Listen for its characteristic calls, often a series of rapid 'churrs' or 'trills', particularly at dusk. Use a spotlight to scan open areas, dirt tracks, and clearings where it might rest on the ground, looking for its reflective eyes.
When to spot
Primarily nocturnal, active during dusk and dawn, and through the night. It is most vocal during breeding season.
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
The Somali Nightjar is well-adapted to its dry environment and often relies on its calls to communicate across vast, open landscapes, as visual contact can be limited in such habitats.
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