Owlet Nightjar close up

The Owlet Nighjar Aegotheles cristatus is one of my favourite birds. This handsome specimen was unfortunately found dead by Rose and Steve Walter some months back, at their property on Mia Mia Rd. You can see a number of distinctive features in the photograph including the rictal bristles that stand up on each side of the bill. These bristles are thought to help with funneling food such as small insects into the mouth and may also acts as sensors to help in capturing flying insects. Owlet Nightjars are sometimes known as “Moth Owls” on account of their small size and superficial resemblance to true owls. They are in fact not at all closely related. The species is reasonably common in the woodlands around Newstead but not often seen, being a nocturnal feeder whose activity increases as we move into warmer weather. Owlet Nighjars are sometimes mistaken for large moths with their characteristic erratic flight. They generally nest in the small hollow of a limb, trunk or tree stump, or spout, of living or dead trees. It would be great to hear of further observations this summer. Many thanks to Rose and Steve for their observation.

Owlet Nightjar specimen, Mia Mia Rd, Newstead