Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles cristatus
The Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus) is a uncommon owlet-nightjar found in 2 countries, weighing about 43 g. The Australian owlet-nightjar is a nocturnal bird found in open woodland across Australia and in southern New Guinea.
About the Australian Owlet-nightjar
The Australian owlet-nightjar is a nocturnal bird found in open woodland across Australia and in southern New Guinea. It is the smallest nocturnal bird found in Australia, making it prone to predation. It is colloquially known as the moth owl or fairy owl and Jarlajirrpi by the Warlpiri people. It is the most common nocturnal bird in Australia. Despite suffering from predation and competition by introduced species, it is not considered threatened.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Australian owlet-nightjar is It is 21–25 cm long, making it a small to medium-sized owlet-nightjar with grey upperparts and a white, barred front and a distinct dark and pale patterning on the head. It has large dark eyes that are non-reflective when a light is shone upon them; unlike many other nocturnal birds. In Northern Australia, females can also have a rufous morph. It is possible that males also have a rufous morph in this area, but it is far less distinct in comparison to the female's. Voice: The Australian owlet-nightjar is frequently heard but not often seen. Adult Australian owlet-nightjars appear to have a few main calls described as: "churr, cry, yuk, cho-ok, hiss, screech and other short harsh rattling notes".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Papua New Guinea.
When to see it
The Australian Owlet-nightjar can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Australian Owlet-nightjar?
- The Australian owlet-nightjar is It is 21–25 cm long, making it a small to medium-sized owlet-nightjar with grey upperparts and a white, barred front and a distinct dark and pale patterning on the head. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Australian Owlet-nightjar?
- The Australian Owlet-nightjar is a small sized bird weighing about 43 g.
- Where can you see an Australian Owlet-nightjar?
- The Australian Owlet-nightjar occurs in 2 countries, including Australia.
- What birds look similar to an Australian Owlet-nightjar?
- The Australian Owlet-nightjar is most easily confused with the Mountain Owlet-nightjar, the Feline Owlet-nightjar and the Barred Owlet-nightjar.
- Is the Australian Owlet-nightjar endangered?
- The Australian Owlet-nightjar is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Australian Owlet-nightjar for real
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