This article is about the family of birds. For the aircraft, see Gloster Nightjar. For the cryptid sometimes called "goat sucker", see Chupacabra.
Nightjar
Great eared nightjar
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Clade:
Strisores
Order:
Caprimulgiformes Ridgway, 1881
Family:
Caprimulgidae Vigors, 1825
Subfamilies
Chordeilinae (nighthawks)
Caprimulginae (typical nightjars)
Eurostopodinae (eared nightjars)
Global range of nightjars and allies
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds in the family Caprimulgidae/ˌkæprɪˈmʌldʒɪdiː/ and order Caprimulgiformes, characterised by long wings, short legs, and very short bills. They are sometimes called bugeaters,[1] their primary source of food being insects. Some New World species are called nighthawks. The English word "nightjar" originally referred to the European nightjar.
Nightjars are found all around the world, with the exception of Antarctica, and certain island groups such as the Seychelles. They can be found in a variety of habitats, most commonly the open country with some vegetation. They usually nest on the ground, with a habit of resting and roosting on roads.
The subfamilies of nightjars have similar characteristics, including small feet, of little use for walking, and long, pointed wings. Typical nightjars have rictal bristles, longer bills, and softer plumage. The colour of their plumage and their unusual perching habits help conceal them during the day.
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Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds in the family Caprimulgidae /ˌkæprɪˈmʌldʒɪdiː/ and order Caprimulgiformes, characterised by...
European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), common goatsucker, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar, is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family...
The great eared nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in southwest India and in parts of Southeast...
The Indian nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus) is a small nightjar which is a resident breeder in open lands across South Asia and Southeast Asia. Like most...
The grey nightjar or gray nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka) is a species of nightjar found in East Asia. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the jungle...
The Egyptian nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) is a medium-small nightjar which occurs in south west Asia and north Africa and winters in tropical Africa...
The sombre nightjar or dusky nightjar (Caprimulgus fraenatus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is native to East Africa. BirdLife...
International Ornithological Committee (IOC) recognizes these 97 species of nightjars and allies in the family Caprimulgidae. The species are distributed among...
Satanic nightjar (Eurostopodus diabolicus), also Heinrich's nightjar, satanic eared-nightjar, Sulawesi eared-nightjar or diabolical nightjar is a mid-sized...
The chirruping nightjar or kayumanggi nightjar (Caprimulgus griseatus) is a species of nightjar found in Philippines. Two subspecies are recognised: C...
The savanna nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis), also known as allied nightjar or Franklin's nightjar, is a species of nightjar found in South and Southeast...
Palau nightjar (Caprimulgus phalaena) is a species of nightjar endemic to Palau. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the grey nightjar. BirdLife...
The swamp nightjar or Natal nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis) is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family found in Africa. It is found...
The spotted nightjar or spotted eared-nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It inhabits much of mainland...
The Philippine nightjar (Caprimulgus manillensis) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its local names...
The Madagascar nightjar or Madagascan nightjar (Caprimulgus madagascariensis) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is native to Madagascar...
The Papuan nightjar or Papuan eared-nightjar (Eurostopodus papuensis) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in New Guinea...
The golden nightjar (Caprimulgus eximius) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is found in Sahel region in northern Sub-Saharan Africa...
The collared nightjar (Gactornis enarratus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are...
The montane nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus), mountain nightjar or Abyssinian nightjar, is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is...
The brown nightjar (Veles binotatus) is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is the only species in the genus Veles. It is found in Cameroon...
Global Information
