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13

European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) Alternate name(s): "Eurasian Nightjar", "Nightjar*" Size: 24-28 cm; wing span 52-59 cm Weight: 50-100 g (male), 65-95 g (female)

Oman: Family Group 13 Family Group 13 Table Asian Koel Pallid Scops Owl Little Owl European Nightjar Thumbnails page Classification table Index of bird names Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description 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.

Taxonomy, classification See European Nightjar at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat 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 . The global distribution of the European Nightjar is available HERE . 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 Arabia European Nightjars are found as winter visitors. They are found only along the North coast of Oman, from about the Muscat area westwards to the western base of Musandam, in the UAE. 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.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "unwini" European Nightjars, race "unwini", were first spotted by us in April 2010, on the fringes of the Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, when accidentally flushing birds out of the shade of acacia trees in semi-desert country, where they had been roosting during the day. The birds just made one hop, using scattered rocks as temporary camouflage, before flying on into the shade of another tree. Race "meridionalis" A European Nightjar, race "meridionalis", was found in Europe.

Photos

Race "unwini"

This race is also called "Hume's Nightjar".

ADULT

MALE

Near-lateral view of a male European Nightjar disturbed from its roost during daytime
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

Lateral view of a male European Nightjar
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

Race "meridionalis"

Photos of a European Nightjar, race "meridionalis", were obtained in Europe.

Behaviour

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.

Lateral view of a European Nightjar using its excellent camouflage to remain undisturbed while keeping an eye on its surroundings from a slightly elevated perch - "find the bird!"
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

European Nightjar seen dipping into the shade of a nearby tree
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

Food, Diet

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.

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