Large-tailed Nightjar

I must confess, this is my first nightjar, I have not photographed a nightjar before, though I have heard this often enough in Sandakan. Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus is the commonest of the four nightjars occuring in Sabah.

Nightjars are nocturnal or crepuscular, which mean they are active from twilight, thus they are not likely to be encountered during the day when we  photograph along the forest trails, however, one might chance upon them roosting on the ground or along branches in day time.

This bird was photographed in Sandakan Sports Complex. It was heard not long after the lights were switched on, a pair was seen foraging for insects later and occasionally perched on the fence pole.It has long and pointed wings with hawklike flight, catching insects on the wings.

Large-tailed Nightjar is patchily distributed in Borneo, being commoner in Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak and in adjacent areas in Kalimantan.

Happy birding.

Photodocument of Wild Birds of Borneo.

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