Australian Owlet-nightjar

Images ©:
©Bob Winters

Aegotheles cristatus

Small nightjar, up to 25 cm. Two colourations exist. Most commonly these birds are grey but there is a russet (dark brown color with a reddish-orange tinge)-brown variation. Two wide black stripes run over the head from the eyes to the back of the neck. Pale underneath with faint black bars running over the body.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Owlet-nightjar
Other Common Names
Nightjar
Biology

Breeding season: July to December. Clutch size is two to five. Nocturnal. Forms permanent bonds throughout the year. Both sexes build the nest in the hollows of trees. Both sexes incubate eggs and care for the young.
Distinctive Markings

Very large, non-reflective eyes. Only females can be a rufous colour.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Apodiformes
Family
Aegothelidae
Genus
Aegotheles
Species
cristatus

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The Australian Owlet-nightjar is the smallest of the nocturnal birds found in Australia.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore. Feeds on a variety of insects.
Habitat

Coastal and mountain rainforest, eucalypt forest, woodland, tree-lined watercourses, mulga and spinifex with scattered trees.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
The common calls consist of a loud grating "chirr" of either two or three notes, typically "chirr-chirr-chirr".