Mysterious and elusive, the nightjar is one of our most intriguing birds. A summer visitor with bark-like plumage, it can be incredibly difficult to spot.
Common names: nightjar
Scientific name: Caprimulgus europaeus
Family: Caprimulgidae (nightjars)
Habitat: open conifer woodland, heathland and moorland
Diet: moths, beetles, flies
Predators: chicks and eggs are taken by pine martens, foxes and hedgehogs
Origin: native
This unusual-looking bird has an enigmatic appearance, with perfectly camouflaged, grey-brown mottled plumage that resembles the bark of a tree. A similar shape to a kestrel, the nightjar has a distinct pointed tail, a flat head, large dark eyes and a small yet wide bill.
Males have bright white patches on the tips of their wings and tail which are flashed when displaying to other males and females.
It measures around 25-28cm in length and weighs in at approximately 80g
The nightjar’s diet is made up of invertebrates, including moths, flies and beetles. It is nocturnal and spends its nights hunting for food, catching it on the wing thanks to its wide mouth and silent flight.
Credit: Gillian Pullinger / Alamy Stock Photo
These birds usually breed from late May to August. They do not build a nest, instead laying eggs directly on the ground, where their bark-like camouflage helps them resemble a log. They lay approximately two eggs, and usually have two broods while in the UK. After around 20 days the chicks hatch, fledging a couple of weeks later.
Nightjars arrive in the UK from Africa during the spring, usually around April-May. They spend the summer months here before migrating back south during September.
The Latin name for the nightjar means ‘goatsucker’. This is because some people used to believe these birds would feed on goat’s milk as they were often found in close proximity to them.
Nightjars favour heathland, moorland and young conifer woods. They can be found in parts of southern Scotland, Wales and England during the summer months.
Some believe that flapping a white handkerchief in the air at night will attract male nightjars.
As these birds are elusive and camouflage well, chances of spotting them are slim. You might hear them at dusk however; the male has a distinct ‘churring’ call.
The nightjar is listed as an Amber species under the Red List for Birds, meaning it is a species of conservation concern. Loss of habitat for breeding is believed to be the biggest issue for nightjar populations.
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