pennant-winged nightjar

bird

Also known as: Cosmetornis vexillarius, Semeiophorus vexillarius(Show More)

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July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The pennant-winged nightjar is a type of bird found in Africa. It is known for its distinctive wing pattern, which features greatly lengthened innermost primary flight feathers that can measure between 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28 inches).1

Nightjars, in general, are a subfamily of birds found in temperate to tropical regions worldwide, excluding New Zealand and some Pacific islands. They possess protective coloration in shades of gray, brown, or reddish-brown and are nocturnal insectivores, catching their prey in flight. The common nightjar, for example, is about 30 cm (12 inches) long and has soft plumage that allows for silent flight.1

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nightjar
The pennant-winged nightjar (Semeiophorus vexillarius) of Africa gets its name from its boldly patterned black and white wing, which has greatly lengthened innermost primary flight feathers (50 to 70 cm [20 to 28 inches]).
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The pennant-winged nightjar (Semeiophorus vexillarius) of Africa gets its name from its boldly patterned black and white wing, which has greatly lengthened innermost primary flight feathers (50 to 70 cm [20 to 28 inches]).
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migration
In intertropical regions
The pennant-wing nightjar (Cosmetornis vexillarius), in contrast, nests in the Southern Hemisphere south of the Congo forests during the austral, or Southern Hemisphere, summer, then starts north with the onset of the rainy season. It spends its winters in savannas from Nigeria to Uganda.
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The pennant-wing nightjar (Cosmetornis vexillarius), in contrast, nests in the Southern Hemisphere south of the Congo forests during the austral, or Southern Hemisphere, summer, then starts north with the onset of the rainy season. It spends its winters in savannas from Nigeria to Uganda.
Read More