SELECT PRODUCT TYPE
Nightjar -Caprimulgus europaeus
This nocturnal bird can be seen hawking for food at dusk & dawn. Most numerous in southern England, with good numbers found in the New Forest, Dorset, Surrey heathlands & Thetford forest in Suffolk. Also found in parts of Wales, northern England, and south west Scotland.
They arrive in UK April - May time and leave around August/September time.
Identification
| Male |
Medium sized bird with long wings & tail thats heavily mottled and barred in browns, buff and greys creating excellent camouflage.The male has white patches on the wing and tail.
|
|---|---|
| Female |
As male but without the white wing & tail patches.
|
| Size |
25 - 28cms
|
| Bill |
black, short & thin
|
| Legs |
buff; short
|
| Habitat |
heaths, forests & woods
|
| Behaviour |
takes off & lands on vegetation or the ground
|
| Flocking |
Solitary
|
| Flight |
Glides, flitting
|
| Voice |
distinctive churring
|
Breeding
| Nest |
bare hollow
|
|---|---|
| Eggs |
2; white, spotting light brown
|
| Incubation period |
18 days
|
| Fledgeling |
16 - 18 days
|
| Broods |
2; May - July
|
| Food |
insects
|
| UK breeding pairs |
3,000
|
