What does the Indian Nightjar eat?

The Indian Nightjar's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Insectivore

How it forages

Strictly insectivorous, feeding primarily on moths, beetles, grasshoppers, termites, and other nocturnal insects. It hunts by making short, agile flights from a perch or the ground, or by continuously hawking insects in flight. It uses its wide gape to scoop insects from the air.

When it feeds

Strictly nocturnal and crepuscular. Active from dusk till dawn, with peak activity shortly after sunset and before sunrise. Spends the day roosting motionless on the ground or on low branches, relying on its camouflage.

Explore the Indian Nightjar