The Jerdon's nightjar (Caprimulgus atripennis), is a medium-sized species of nightjar which is found in southern India and Sri Lanka. Formerly considered as a subspecies of the long-tailed nightjar it is best recognized by its distinctive call. The common name commemorates the surgeon-naturalist Thomas C. Jerdon who described the species although it was also referred to in the past as the Ghat nightjar on account of its habitat.