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Eurasian Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
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-26.2253, 31.9991

Field Notes

Description:

Nocturnal bird sleeping on the gravel road. Great camouflage.

Habitat:

Gravel road, mixed wood and meadowland.

Notes:

The European Nightjar feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, which it catches in flight, often fly-catching from a perch. It hunts by sight silhouetting its prey against the night sky. It has relatively large eyes each with a reflective layer which improves night vision. It appears not to rely on its hearing to find insects and does not echolocate. It drinks and bathes on the wing.

Reference Links:

European Nightjar

Species ID Suggestions

Eurasian Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus

Reference Link
DanielePralong
5

Comments (12)
ManishKhanna
Nice and lucky spotting. Agree with id suggested by Daniele.
Tiz
You are right. Very tiny.... I have to do a research later on what it easts. Does not seem lite it is designed to crack seeds..
Sckel
The beak is so small, I can't see it
Tiz
It is a matter of temperature Daniele, or lack of temperature perhaps :) Five weeks was good enough :)
DanielePralong
You're welcome Tina. It's great that you're already back there: you really can't keep away from this continent :-)
Tiz
Oh that is great Daniele, I really like that this little thing flew so far, just to relax on this road! It is quite fantastic to be able to do night safari on my own, a whole new world is showing itself to me. Thank you for the support for now, I will update the ID in a few days! (When I am back online)...
DanielePralong
Hi Tina! Of the nightjars (Caprimulgis sp.) present in the south of Africa, the Eurasian Nightjar matches this one best to my eyes, in particular with respect to face and wing markings. These are winter visitors to Africa. See what others say :-)
Tiz
I cant tell etiher right now. My field guide is not with me atm... And I have a limited time on the internet, so I have to prio uploads over searching for IDs :( Thank you for the suggestion :))
Caleb Steindel
looks like a whip-poor-will, though i'm not sure if they're found in swaziland

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
Birds of Africa
Mission
Mlawula Nature Reserve
Mission
Swaziland Guide
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 26, 2014

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