Scotornis climacurus.
Selected to represent the family because it is both common and relatively easy to identify, chiefly seen when moving at night with a light, such as by car or bicycle.
| Recognition: Small bird with long tail. Plumage grey-brown streaked with black. The distinctive features of this species are conspicuous white patches in the wing and a long graduated tail. The eye shines red in the dark when picked up by a car's lights. |
| Distribution: Throughout West Africa but subject to migratory movement, entering the forest area only in the dry season. |
| Habits: Usually concealed on the ground by day it emerges at dusk with silent flight to catch insects. When settled on a road at night it can be approached quite closely before taking off. Two eggs are laid on the bare ground, after the northward migration. |
| Call: A loud "churrrrr" that may be sustained almost without break throughout the night, especially during moonlight. |
