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Eurasian Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus

The Eurasian Nightjar is a special bird that loves to hide during the day. It has beautiful brown feathers that help it blend in with the ground, making it hard to spot!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Eurasian Nightjar has superb camouflage, with mottled brown, grey, and black plumage resembling tree bark or dead leaves. It features a flat head, large eyes, and a small bill that opens into a remarkably wide gape.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCaprimulgiformesFamilyCaprimulgidaeGenusCaprimulgus
Eurasian Nightjar
feathered trait badgesolitary trait badgesinging trait badgecamouflaged trait badge
Eurasian Nightjar

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Historically, people wrongly called them 'goatsuckers', believing they stole milk from goats!

They don't build nests, often laying their camouflaged eggs directly on the bare ground!

Unlike most birds, they sleep lengthwise along a branch, not across it, to enhance their camouflage!

When food is scarce or it gets cold, nightjars can go into a deep sleep called torpor, saving energy!

Special abilities

Ability

Camouflage Cloak

Eurasian Nightjar has mottled plumage that helps them blend perfectly with tree bark and leaf litter, becoming almost invisible.

Ability

Night Vision Goggles

Eurasian Nightjar can hunt flying insects in low light because of their large eyes, giving them excellent nocturnal vision.

Ability

Sonic Churr Call

Eurasian Nightjar has a unique, continuous 'churring' song that helps them communicate and define territory in the dark.

Ability

Insect Net Mouth

Eurasian Nightjar can catch insects mid-flight because of their incredibly wide gape and stiff bristles around the beak.

Measurements & details

Length
25-28 cm
Wingspan
57-64 cm
Weight
0.05-0.1 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
1-2
Incubation
17-21 days
Migration Distance
8000 km

Diet & Feeding

This bird is a skilled aerial hunter, snatching moths and beetles right out of the air at night!

Primary Foods

  • Moths
  • Beetles
  • Midges
  • Mosquitoes
  • Caddisflies

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

Goshawks sometimes prey on adult nightjars.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Foxes can snatch eggs, chicks, or adults from the ground.

hunts

Gypsy Moth

Lymantria dispar

Nightjars are important predators of various moth species.

hunts

Common Cockchafer

Melolontha melolontha

They actively hunt flying beetles, including cockchafers.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a bird, watch quietly from a distance and don't disturb its home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Eurasian Nightjar?

25-28 cm

What is Eurasian Nightjar's wingspan?

57-64 cm

How much does Eurasian Nightjar weigh?

0.05-0.1 kg

How long does Eurasian Nightjar live?

5-10 years

How fast can Eurasian Nightjar move?

60 km/h

What does Eurasian Nightjar eat?

This bird is a skilled aerial hunter, snatching moths and beetles right out of the air at night!

Where is Eurasian Nightjar usually found?

Forests

How does Eurasian Nightjar hunt?

Pursuit

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