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European Nightjar
(Caprimulgus europaeus)
: "Eurasian Nightjar", "Nightjar"
 German name(s): "Ziegenmelker"
Size: 24-28 cm; wing span 52-59 cm
Weight: 50-100 g (male), 65-95 g (female)
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
European Nightjars are medium-sized nightjars.
They have the typical mid-grey, slightly reflective and highly
cryptic
plumage of
all nightjars, with dark-grey streaks and light silvery-grey
patches. The distinguishing feature of European Nightjars is
that the crown, nape of the neck and back are all streaked
dark-grey on mid-grey. Among the Eurasian nightjars they have
the highest colour contrast between dark parts of their
plumage
and light patches.
The irises are dark. The very short, swallow-like bill is
grey. Legs and feet are hardly ever visible.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See European
Nightjar at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the European Nightjar is available
HERE
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European Nightjars are a strongly migratory species, with
6 different races. Their breeding grounds range from
all of Europe, except Scotland and central/northern
Scandinavia, to the north-western African coastline,
Asia Minor and eastward into central Asia. Their
range eastwards extends from the Baltic states and
southern Finland towards the border region of Russia
with Mongolia and far northern China. Their range
also extends through northern Iraq, parts of Iran
into Afghanistan and Pakistan, to roughly the border
with India.
They spend the northern winters in the southern part of
West Africa and in parts of eastern Africa, from about
the southern border of Ethiopia southward towards the
Cape of Good Hope, from the great inland lakes to the
East coast. There is also a small wintering population
in northern Oman.
In Europe European Nightjars are mostly as breeding migrants,
from the Iberian peninsula to the southern coastal regions
of the British Isles eastward throughout the rest of Europe
(and into Asia), as far northwards as southern Scandinavia.
They are usually found in semi-open landscapes with some
scattered vegetation (often acacias) and interspersed
open areas in which they prefer to hunt. In their breeding
areas they favour heath and grassland.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "meridionalis"
I. Medenica reports spotting an European Nightjar, race
"meridionalis", near Lake Bor, in eastern Serbia, in May 2016.
Race "unwini"
European Nightjars, race "unwini", were
found by us in Oman.
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Photos |
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Race "meridionalis"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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Lateral view of a male European Nightjar; note the characteristic
white wing spots (photo courtesy of I. Medenica)
[Near Lake Bor, eastern Serbia, May 2016]
Race "unwini"
Photos of European Nightjars, race "unwini", were
taken by us in Oman.
Like all other species of nightjars known to us,
European Nightjars
usually do not perch on shrubs or trees; they are either found on
the ground or in the air.
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Food, Diet |
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European Nightjars are insect hunters.
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Call/s
