Macrodipteryx
Encyclopedia
Macrodipteryx is a genus
of Africa
n nightjar
s consisting of two species. They inhabit subtropical woodlands and the males of both species acquire strikingly elongated primaries in the breeding season.
In Standard-winged Nightjar the shaft of the 9th primary becomes much elongated, while in Pennant-winged Nightjar the 9th primary grows to more than twice the body length. Both species have an insect-like call in the breeding season but are silent in the non-breeding season. The primaries of the females and immature males are boldly barred in rufous and brown. The wing and feather shapes differ from other African nightjars, the feathers being without clear emargination.
The breeding seasons of the two species don't overlap as the Standard-winged Nightjar disperses southwards for breeding in the late northern hemisphere winter, while the Pennant-winged Nightjar crosses the equator to breed in the early southern hemisphere summer.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n nightjar
Nightjar
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. They are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats . Some New World species are named as nighthawks...
s consisting of two species. They inhabit subtropical woodlands and the males of both species acquire strikingly elongated primaries in the breeding season.
In Standard-winged Nightjar the shaft of the 9th primary becomes much elongated, while in Pennant-winged Nightjar the 9th primary grows to more than twice the body length. Both species have an insect-like call in the breeding season but are silent in the non-breeding season. The primaries of the females and immature males are boldly barred in rufous and brown. The wing and feather shapes differ from other African nightjars, the feathers being without clear emargination.
The breeding seasons of the two species don't overlap as the Standard-winged Nightjar disperses southwards for breeding in the late northern hemisphere winter, while the Pennant-winged Nightjar crosses the equator to breed in the early southern hemisphere summer.
Species
- Standard-winged NightjarStandard-winged NightjarThe Standard-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx longipennis, is a bird in the nightjar family.-Distribution and habitat:It is a resident breeder in Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia...
, Macrodipteryx longipennis - Pennant-winged NightjarPennant-winged NightjarThe Pennant-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius, is an intra-African migrant that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa. The male is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries. In addition the males acquire a striking 9th primary feather during the...
, Macrodipteryx vexillarius