Phenology and breeding success of Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis in southern Spain

Data of 37 Red-necked Nightjar nests were collected during four seasons in a locality of southern Spain. Breeding season elapsed from late May to early August with two clutches laid. Mean brood size was 1.59 (N = 29) for successful nests and 1.24 (N = 37) for all nests. Nest failure was due to agricultural work and predation by Lacerta lepida. The percentage of eggs that successfully became a fledgeling was significantly higher for clutches found in May than in June or July. The median laying and hatching dates were 7 and 19 June respectively. Incubation period recorded was 17 days. Hatching date, but not laying date, significantly varied among years. These results are compared with those available for the European Nightjar C. europaeus.