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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Caprimulgidae
  4. ›
  5. Eurostopodus
  6. ›
  7. Spotted Nightjar
Spotted Nightjar
Photo · (c) dhfischer, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Spotted Nightjar

Eurostopodus argusHartert, E, 1892

Updated 21 March 2026

Also known asGinyir-ginyir

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Family
Caprimulgidae
Genus
Eurostopodus

At a glance

The Spotted Nightjar is a medium-sized bird, about 27–35 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
27–35 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Spotted Nightjar look like?

The Spotted Nightjar is a medium-sized bird, about 27–35 cm long and weighing 72–132 g.

The spotted nightjar or spotted eared-nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It inhabits much of mainland Australia and has also been found in several Indonesian islands. Its natural habitats are open forests and woodlands, scrub, spinifex and tussock grassland, savannah woodland and mangroves.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
27–35 cm
Weight
72–132 g
Wingspan
75 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Spotted Nightjar?

The Spotted Nightjar is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Spotted Nightjar eat?

The Spotted Nightjar feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Spotted Nightjar live in Australia?

The Spotted Nightjar is native to Australia, recorded across 80 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except south-east, Tasmania)

Non-breedingTo south Moluccas

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

7 regions recorded