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The white-throated nightjar or white-throated eared-nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to eastern Australia; it is a non-breeding winter visitor in Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
E. mystacalis is the largest Australian nightjar species and measures around 30–37 cm. Males and females are very similar in appearance and display a dark variegated body. The upper body and wings are greyish-brown with broad blackish-brown streaks and spots. The underbody is spotted brown or greyish white and barred rufous. The upper part of the wing is greyish-white but speckled brownish-black as well. Its neck is buff colored with a large white patch on either side of its throat making it appear as if it's wearing a collar. Voice: White-throated nightjars are often heard more than seen. They have a distinct song that help distinguish it from species it was previously conspecific to. Mostly made by males, their song is composed of a series of rapidly ascending bubbling notes. Their song is described as wow-wow-wow-wow-ho-ho ho-ho-o-o-O containing 9-12 notes and lasting for three to six seconds.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Spotted NightjarEurostopodus argusOne of the larger and more colourful of the nightjars, the intricate, heavily spotted and flecked patterns of the spotted nightjar enable it to blend perfectly where red, grew or brown soils are strewn with rocks, leaves, branches and twigs.
Satanic NightjarEurostopodus diabolicusThe Satanic nightjar measures about 27 cm (11 in) long.
Learn the White-throated Nightjar for real
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