Long-trained nightjar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Long-trained nightjar
male at Tremembé, São Paulo state, Brazil
female at Tremembé, São Paulo state, Brazil
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Caprimulgiformes
Family:	Caprimulgidae
Genus:	Macropsalis P.L. Sclater, 1866
Species:	M. forcipata
Binomial name
Macropsalis forcipata (Nitzsch, 1840)
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Synonyms
Macropsalis creagra (Bonaparte, 1850)

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The long-trained nightjar (scientific name: Macropsalis forcipata) is a special type of bird. It belongs to a family of birds called nightjars. You can find this bird mainly in Argentina and Brazil.

About the Long-trained Nightjar's Name

The long-trained nightjar is the only bird in its group, or genus. Its scientific name is Macropsalis forcipata. Some people used to call it Macropsalis creagra. But now, most scientists agree that forcipata is the correct name.

What Does the Long-trained Nightjar Look Like?

The male long-trained nightjar has very long outer tail feathers. This is how it got its name! These special feathers can be from 48 to 68 centimeters (19 to 27 inches) long. Without these long feathers, the bird is about 28 to 31 centimeters (11 to 12 inches) long.

Both male and female nightjars have brown feathers on their upper bodies. These feathers have spots and bars of grayish-brown, tawny, buff, and cinnamon colors. Their wings have similar colors. Unlike some other nightjars, they do not have white markings on their wings.

They also have a wide, tawny-colored band on the back of their neck. There is a faint tawny patch on their throat. Their chest is brown with tawny and buff bars. The belly and sides are buff with brown bars. The male's long tail feathers have a wide white edge. The female's tail is darker and much shorter.

Where Do Long-trained Nightjars Live?

You can find the long-trained nightjar in southeastern Brazil. They live from the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo down to Rio Grande do Sul. They also live in the far northeastern part of Argentina, in a province called Misiones. Sometimes, one might even be seen in Paraguay, but this is rare.

These birds like to live inside and at the edges of old and new forests. They also live in woodlands. They can be found from sea level up to 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) high. In the northern parts of their home, they tend to live at higher elevations.

How Long-trained Nightjars Behave

What Do Long-trained Nightjars Eat?

Long-trained nightjars hunt for their food in different ways. They might fly out from the ground to catch prey. They also catch insects while flying in the air. Sometimes, they even pick insects off leaves while flying. We don't have a detailed list of what they eat. But scientists believe they mostly eat insects.

Long-trained Nightjar Reproduction

Long-trained nightjars are thought to lay eggs between November and January. This happens in most areas where they live. During courtship, the male bird performs a special dance on the ground. He raises his tail feathers to form a white "V" shape.

The female lays her eggs directly on the ground. She places them on leaf litter, without building a traditional nest. The spot is often hidden under a bush. The female bird usually does most of the egg incubation.

What Sounds Do Long-trained Nightjars Make?

Both male and female long-trained nightjars make a special call. It is a repeated, high-pitched sound that sounds like "tsip, tsip, tsip, tsip."

Conservation Status of the Long-trained Nightjar

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) checks on how many animals are left in the wild. They first thought the long-trained nightjar was "Threatened." But since 2004, they have changed its status. Now, it is listed as "Least Concern." This means there are enough of them, and they are not in immediate danger. The number of long-trained nightjars can be different in various places. In some areas, they are rare, while in others, they are quite common.