Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)

Standard-winged Nightjar (Macrodipteryx longipennis) - HBW 5, p. 381

French: Engoulevent à balanciers German: Fahnennachtschwalbe Spanish: Chotacabras Portaestandarte

Taxonomy: Caprimulgus longipennis Shaw, 1796, Sierra Leone.
Genus formerly considered monotypic, with M. vexillarius separated from present species in genus Semeiophorus; however, despite the evident differences in morphology, the two species show notable similarities in vocalizations, breeding strategy, and some roosting and feeding ­habits, as well as a number of morphological affinities, and so are probably best considered congeneric. Monotypic.

Distribution: Gambia and W Liberia through C Cameroon and N Zaire to SW Sudan, N Uganda and possibly NW Kenya; present in dry season in coastal strip from E Liberia to W Cameroon, and in SE Uganda (Dec-Mar), but breeding not confirmed in these areas. Winters in Sahel zone N of breeding range.