Standard-winged Nightjar

Male flags Eight Swallow

The flags Eight swallow or flag leaf ( M. longipennis ) is a afrotropical Nachtschwalbenart, which is named after the greatly extended the breeding season inner primaries feathers of the male.

Features

The flags Eight swallow is a medium-sized, brown to gray - brown nightjar. Striking white spots on wings or tail missing. The male is unmistakable in breeding plumage by the grandeur springs.

Occurrence

The flags Eight Swallow breeds in western to central Africa ( Senegal to Ethiopia). Outside the breeding season, she moves into the northern savannas of the Sahel and Sudan. She prefers sparsely wooded arbor and shrub savannas.

Behavior

The flags Eight swallow is like all nightjars nocturnal and crepuscular. The day she spends sitting on the floor, where it is because of their good camouflage hard to discover. After dusk, chasing moths, beetles and other flying insects. It was also observed that it catches the startled forest fires insects.

Reproduction

The up to 50 cm long decorative feathers of the male consist of a long, thin stem, which widens to a flag just before the tip. Several males and females congregate at an arena in which to demonstrate their courtship, the males with vibrant wings and erected flag springs. After the mating season, the feathers fall out again. One to two eggs are incubated in a light, natural hollow on the bare ground.