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European Nightjar

(Caprimulgus europaeus)
: "Nightjar", "Eurasian Nightjar"
Size: 26 cm

Sightings

European Nightjars 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 usually make one hop, using scattered rocks as temporary camouflage, before flying on into the shade of another tree.

Photos

European Nightjar disturbed from its roost during daytime

Lateral view of a European Nightjar

Here seen dipping into the shade of a nearby tree

Food

European Nightjars are insect hunters.

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.