Nightjar

Nightjar -Caprimulgus europaeus

Nightjar

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.
Indentification
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 - 28 cms
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
Fledgling 16 - 18 days
Broods 2, May - July
Food insects
UK breeding pairs 3,000
Selection of popular products

Niger seed
Robin with insects

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