European Nightjar

Informazioni

The European Nightjar, known as 'Succiacapre' in Italian, is a medium-sized nocturnal bird characterized by its cryptic plumage, long wings, short legs, and a very short bill with a wide gape. It is a highly specialized aerial insectivore, primarily active at dusk and dawn, and during moonlit nights. Its superb camouflage allows it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, making it notoriously difficult to spot during the day.

Dimensioni e longevità

Lunghezza

24-28 cm

Apertura alare

52-60 cm

Peso

50-100 g

Longevità

Up to 8 years in the wild

Dieta

Insectivore

Caratteristiche fisiche

Piumaggio

Cryptic, mottled plumage of grey, brown, black, and rufous, resembling tree bark or dead leaves. Overall coloration varies geographically, with some populations being greyer and others more rufous. The underparts are barred.

Forma del becco

Very short, broad, and flattened bill with a wide gape, perfectly adapted for catching insects in flight. The bill is dark, almost black.

Colore degli occhi

Large, dark eyes, adapted for low-light conditions, often appearing black.

Colore delle zampe

Short, weak, and brownish-grey legs, not well-suited for walking, but with a pectinate (comb-like) claw on the middle toe used for preening.

Caratteristiche distintive

Long, pointed wings, a relatively long tail, and a flattened head. The wide gape is fringed with rictal bristles, which aid in capturing insects. Its cryptic plumage is its most striking feature, making it almost invisible when at rest.

Aspetto giovanile

Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler, more buffy, and more finely barred. The white wing and tail patches of juvenile males are less distinct than in adults.

Cambiamenti stagionali

No significant seasonal plumage changes, as the cryptic coloration is maintained year-round for camouflage. Plumage may appear slightly worn by the end of the breeding season before molting.

Dimorfismo sessuale

Males typically have prominent white patches on the outer primaries (wing tips) and white tips to the outer tail feathers, which are absent or much reduced and buffy in females. Females are generally slightly duller in coloration.

Come identificare

1. 1

   Vocalization

   Listen for the distinctive, continuous, mechanical 'churring' song at dusk or dawn. This is often the first and only indication of its presence.

2. 2

   Flight Pattern

   Observe its silent, buoyant, moth-like flight, often with deep wing beats and glides. Look for the white wing patches on males in flight.

3. 3

   Plumage (at rest)

   If seen at rest, note the superb cryptic camouflage, blending perfectly with bark or leaf litter. Look for the flattened head, large dark eyes, and short bill with a wide gape.

4. 4

   Roosting Posture

   Often perches lengthwise along a branch, rather than across it, further enhancing its camouflage.

Habitat e areale

Biomi

Open woodlands, heathlands, moorlands, clear-felled areas, young conifer plantations, scrubland, and forest edges.

Areale geografico

Breeds across most of Europe and temperate Asia, from the Iberian Peninsula and British Isles east to Mongolia and northern China. Winters in sub-Saharan Africa.

Fascia altitudinale

Typically found from sea level up to 2,000 meters, occasionally higher in some parts of its range.

Ambienti preferiti

Prefers dry, open habitats with scattered trees, shrubs, and bare ground, often with sandy or gravelly soils. Requires areas with abundant nocturnal insect prey and suitable camouflage for daytime roosting.

Comportamento

Periodo di attività

Strictly crepuscular and nocturnal, active from dusk through the night until dawn. Roosts motionless on the ground or along a branch during the day, relying entirely on its camouflage.

Abitudini alimentari

Aerial insectivore, catching insects (moths, beetles, gnats, mosquitoes) in flight. It forages by making short, agile flights from a perch or by continuously hawking insects in open areas. It can also pick insects from foliage or the ground.

Comportamento sociale

Generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season. Migrates in loose flocks.

Tipo di volo

Silent, buoyant, and erratic flight, often described as moth-like or bat-like, with deep, deliberate wing beats interspersed with glides. It can hover briefly. The white wing patches of the male are conspicuous in flight.

Migrazione

Long-distance migratory species. European populations migrate south to winter in sub-Saharan Africa, typically arriving in breeding grounds in late April to May and departing in August to September.

Territorialità

Males establish and defend breeding territories, primarily through vocalizations and aerial displays.

Riproduzione

Stagione riproduttiva

May to August, with peak activity in June and July. Often double-brooded in southern parts of its range.

Abitudini di nidificazione

Does not build a nest. Eggs are laid directly on bare ground, leaf litter, or short vegetation, often near a log, stone, or bush for cover. The site is typically well-camouflaged.

Dimensione della covata

2 eggs

Descrizione dell'uovo

Usually 2 elliptical eggs, creamy-white or pale grey, heavily marbled and blotched with dark brown, grey, and purplish-brown, making them incredibly cryptic against the ground.

Periodo di incubazione

17-21 days, primarily by the female, though the male may assist.

Periodo di involo

Chicks are semi-precocial, able to move shortly after hatching. They fledge (take their first flight) at around 17-19 days old, but remain dependent on parents for several weeks.

Cure parentali

Both parents care for the young. The female incubates and broods, while the male often brings food. Both feed the fledglings.

Dove trovarlo

Consigli sul campo

1. Time of Day. The best time to find European Nightjars is at dusk or dawn, or on moonlit nights, when they are most active and vocal.
2. Listen Carefully. Their churring song is often the only clue to their presence. Find a suitable habitat and listen intently for the distinctive sound.
3. Use a Torch (responsibly). If permitted and done carefully, a red-filtered torch can sometimes help locate them at night, but avoid disturbing them, especially near nests.
4. Look for Perches. They often sing from a prominent perch (e.g., a dead branch, fence post) within their territory.
5. Patience and Stealth. Due to their camouflage and nocturnal habits, spotting them requires patience and a quiet approach.

Specie simili

Fatti rapidi

Activity:

Nocturnal/Crepuscular

Diet:

Insects (moths, beetles)

Nesting:

Ground nest (no construction)

Migration:

Long-distance migrant to Africa

Distinguishing Sound:

Continuous 'churring' song

Curiosità

• The name 'Nightjar' comes from its nocturnal habits and the jarring, churring sound of its song.
• Its scientific name 'Caprimulgus' means 'goat-milker', stemming from an ancient myth that these birds sucked milk from goats, likely due to their habit of foraging near livestock where insects were abundant.
• The pectinate claw on its middle toe is thought to be used for 'combing' parasites from its rictal bristles and plumage.
• They are masters of camouflage; when disturbed during the day, they often remain motionless, relying on their plumage to blend in, rather than flying away.
• Nightjars have a unique ability to enter a state of torpor, similar to hibernation, during periods of cold weather or food scarcity, allowing them to conserve energy.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Aves

Ordine

Caprimulgiformes

Famiglia

Caprimulgidae

Genere

Caprimulgus

Specie

Caprimulgus europaeus

Esplora European Nightjar