Species Profile
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: European Nightjar, Eurasian Nightjar
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Appearance
The Nightjar is a medium-sized, Cuckoo-like bird with cryptic plumage. Its mottled brown and grey feathers provide excellent camouflage. They have a flat head, large black eyes, and a tiny bill that opens to reveal a surprisingly wide mouth.
Males are distinguished by white spots on the wings and tail tips, which are absent in females - this is best seen in flight. Juveniles resemble females but have softer, fluffier plumage.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Buff
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Brown
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Buff
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Brown
Female Markings
Lacks white spots on wings and tail tips
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Nightjars inhabit open woodlands, heathlands, and forest edges across Europe and parts of Asia. They prefer areas with scattered trees and bushes for roosting and nesting.
These birds are summer visitors to the UK and northern Europe, migrating to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. They are present in the UK from May to September, most common in the south.
The following locations hold Nightjars in the summer:
- New Forest, Hampshire
- Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve, Penrhyndeudraeth, Wales
- RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
Diet
Nightjars are insectivores, primarily feeding on moths and beetles. They catch prey on the wing, using their excellent eyesight, wide mouths and bristles around the beak to funnel insects into their throats.
Their silent flight allows them to approach prey undetected, and they even confine their hunting to dusk, dawn, and moonlit nights.
Behaviour
Nightjars are nocturnal, becoming active at dusk and dawn. They have a distinctive flight pattern, alternating between quick wingbeats and gliding. These birds often perch lengthwise on branches, blending seamlessly with tree bark.
Calls & Sounds
The male Nightjar's song is a distinctive, mechanical insect-like churring that can last for several minutes without pause. It resembles a distant motorcycle engine, described as 'churr-churr-churr'. This strange sound is the male's song and is usually heard in the early evening and before dawn.
Both sexes produce a variety of frog-like contact calls and hiss when threatened. They also make soft 'coo-ik' calls in flight.
Nesting & Breeding
Nightjars breed from May to August, with males performing aerial displays and churring calls to attract mates. They do not build nests; instead, they lay eggs directly on the ground in pine plantations and heathland.
Females typically lay two eggs, which are oval and creamy-white with brown and grey markings. These highly camouflaged eggs blend well with the surrounding leaf litter or bare ground.
Incubation lasts about 17-21 days, shared by both parents. Chicks fledge after 16-19 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
While listed as Least Concern globally, Nightjar populations have declined in parts of Europe due to habitat loss.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining and restoring suitable breeding habitats, particularly heathlands and young woodland areas.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive churring call at dusk in woodland clearings or heathlands
- Look for their silhouette against the night sky as they hunt for insects
- Search for them roosting on tree branches during the day, where they sit motionless and camouflaged
- In the UK, visit heathlands and young forestry plantations from May to August
Did You Know?
- Nightjars have bristles around their mouths to help funnel flying insects into their wide gapes.
- Their eyes reflect light, giving them excellent night vision for hunting in low-light conditions.
- The name 'Goatsucker' comes from an old myth that they sucked milk from goats at night.
- The derivation of the word Nightjar is believed to stem from their nocturnal habits and sometimes jarring vocalisations. Birds from this family are also known as Goatsuckers and Nighthawks in other parts of the world.
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