BirdUp · Species
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles cristatus(Shaw, 1790)
Updated
Also known asJarlajirrpi
- Order
- AEGOTHELIFORMES
- Family
- Aegothelidae
- Genus
- Aegotheles
At a glance
The Australian Owlet-nightjar is a medium-sized bird, about 19–25 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 19–25 cm
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Origin
- Native
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Very common
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does an Australian Owlet-nightjar look like?
The Australian Owlet-nightjar is a medium-sized bird, about 19–25 cm long and weighing 21–65 g.
The Australian owlet-nightjar is a nocturnal bird found in open woodland across Australia and in southern New Guinea. It is the smallest nocturnal bird found in Australia, making it prone to predation. It is colloquially known as the moth owl or fairy owl and Jarlajirrpi by the Warlpiri people. It is the most common nocturnal bird in Australia. Despite suffering from predation and competition by introduced species, it is not considered threatened.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
03 · When
When to look
When can you see an Australian Owlet-nightjar?
The Australian Owlet-nightjar is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
04 · Voice
What it sounds like
Call
jimchurches · Jarrahdale WA 6124, Australia
Call
Eamonn Culhane · Glenalbyn VIC 3517, Australia
Call
Sofia Zvolanek · Sydney NSW, Australia
Call
Samuel Frankel · Rosebank NSW 2480, Australia
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does an Australian Owlet-nightjar eat?
The Australian Owlet-nightjar feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging alone.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
3 photos
The BirdUp app
Log your next Australian Owlet-nightjar in the field
A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.