Nightjars are fascinating and often elusive birds, primarily known for their mysterious nocturnal habits and remarkable ability to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. These birds are more frequently heard than seen, their distinctive calls echoing through the twilight hours. Nightjars represent a unique part of the avian world. Their adaptations for life in the shadows make them special.
Identifying a Nightjar
Nightjars belong to the family Caprimulgidae, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. They are sometimes referred to as “goatsuckers,” a name rooted in an ancient misconception that these birds would suck milk from goats. This belief arose because nightjars were often observed near livestock, where they were actually preying on insects attracted to the animals. The Latin name for the nightjar, Caprimulgus, directly translates to “goatsucker,” reflecting this historical folklore.
These birds are medium-sized, typically measuring around 12 inches in length and weighing between 0.7 to 6.6 ounces, with a wingspan of about 20 inches. They possess long wings and relatively short legs, along with a distinctive flat head and large, dark eyes that aid their vision in low light conditions. While their beak appears small, nightjars have an exceptionally wide gape or mouth for catching insects in flight.
Their plumage features soft, mottled patterns of browns, grays, blacks, and whites, mimicking tree bark or dead leaves. This cryptic coloration provides excellent camouflage, allowing them to remain virtually invisible when resting during the day. Nightjars often perch horizontally along branches or directly on the ground. Some species also have whisker-like rictal bristles around their mouths, which may assist in funneling prey or provide sensory input.
The Nightjar’s Unique Lifestyle
Nightjars are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, active during dusk, dawn, and throughout the night. During the day, they remain still, relying heavily on their camouflaged plumage to avoid detection. Each individual bird appears to select resting spots that best match its unique feather patterns.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of flying insects. They are aerial insectivores, skillfully catching moths, beetles, flies, and other nocturnal insects directly in flight. Their wide mouths act like nets, allowing them to scoop up multiple insects. Nightjars hunt by sight, silhouetting their prey against the night sky.
One of the most characteristic aspects of nightjars is their distinctive vocalizations. The European nightjar, for instance, produces a continuous, mechanical “churring” sound, while other species, like the Whip-poor-will and Chuck-will’s-widow, are named for their unique calls. These calls serve various purposes, including territorial defense and attracting mates. Males may also perform aerial displays, sometimes accompanied by wing-clapping sounds, to court females.
Nightjars inhabit a wide range of environments across the globe, found on every continent except Antarctica and extremely arid desert regions. They prefer open habitats with some vegetation, such as heathlands, moorlands, woodlands, and forest clearings. Many nightjar species are migratory, traveling long distances to warmer climates for winter.
Unlike many other birds, nightjars do not construct elaborate nests. Instead, they lay their eggs directly on the ground, often in secluded spots with natural cover like leaf litter. The female selects a nesting site where her camouflage can protect the eggs. This ground-nesting strategy highlights their reliance on their cryptic appearance for survival.