Beautiful bird of the day: Pennant-winged Nightjar (Macrodipteryx vexillarius) is an intra-African migrant that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa. Males acquire a striking 2nd primary feather during the breeding season. These pennants grow to greater lengths in successive years, up to twice the body length. Foraging birds emerge in the late afternoon or directly after sunset for crepuscular feeding and are once again active before sunrise. Their diet includes a variety of insects although scarab beetles are favored. They drink while flying slowly over a water surface. The roost and nest are on bare ground, sometimes among leaf litter. When disturbed they may perch lengthwise on a branch. 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.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 15:47:48 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015