Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles cristatus
Smallest Australian nocturnal bird, primarily gray-brown with large eyes, relatively long tail, and "whiskers" on the face. During the day, usually seen only if one is peering out of a roosting hollow. Small size and near lack of eyeshine make this species also difficult to locate at night; the call, a loud, brief "chew," is the best way to locate one.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Aegotheles cristatus
- Authority
- (Shaw, 1790)
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Aegothelidae
- Genus
- Aegotheles
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Australian owlet-nightjar feeds at night by diving from perches and snatching insects from the air, ground or off trunks and branches, in the manner of a flycatcher. It may also feed on the wing. It feeds on most insects, particularly beetles, grasshoppers and ants. During the day they roost in hollows in trees, partly for protection from predators and partly to avoid being mobbed by other birds that mistake them for owls.<p>The Australian owlet-nightjar nests mainly in holes in trees (or in other holes and crevices), which is provisioned with leaves by both of the pair. It is thought that the frequent addition of eucalyptus leaves is because they act as a beneficial insecticide. Three or four eggs are laid, and incubated by the female for just under a month. Both the adults feed the chicks, which fledge after a month. The young birds are reported to stay close to the parents for several months after they fledge.<p>The species is itself prey to another nocturnal carnivore, Macroderma gigas, a larger microchiropteran known as the ghost bat.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-winged Illadopsis
Illadopsis rufescens
A mid-sized, chunky, drably colored babbler. Has a white throat and pale gray underparts, often with some darker olive-brown on the breast. Found in the understory of rainforest at low and middle elevations, usually in pairs. Shy and skulking, and rarely seen unless searched for. Similar to other illadopsises, and best located and distinguished by voice. Visually most similar to Puvel’s Illadopsis, but found in different habitat, slightly smaller, and grayer, less buffy, on the underparts. Paler below than Brown or Pale-breasted Illadopsises. Most often detected by distinctive voice: a series of several whistles in an up then down pattern that is weirdly reminiscent of trying to start a car.
Plain Sunbird
Anthreptes simplex
A medium-large sunbird with a rather thick, slightly decurved bill. Extremely plain: pale olive-yellow above and paler washed-out yellow below. Male has a small black “shield” on his forehead which the female lacks. Female readily distinguished from female Brown-throated and Red-throated Sunbirds by her unmarked face. Inhabits a wide range of forest types from lowlands into foothills but seems to favor coastal forest and forest edge. Forages and moves actively, like a warbler, gleaning insects from the foliage. Gives plaintive “tseee”s and “tsi”s.
Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush
Pterorhinus ruficeps
Large songbird, brown above, white below, with orange crown, dark mask, and snow-white throat. Inhabits montane forests, though it frequently descends into foothills and lowlands during the winter. Moves about through low and mid-level vegetation in large flocks. Vocalizes frequently, if not always loudly; commonly heard giving a rattling chatter or a quiet, hiccuping pair of notes.
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