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Nightjars are nocturnal birds and can be seen hawking for food at dusk and dawn. With pointed wings and a long tails their shape is similar to a kestrel or cuckoo. They have large flat heads with small bills, and big mouths, which have stiff bristles at the corners to help catch moths in flight..Their, mottled, streaked and barred plumage provides ideal camouflage in the daytime, during which their eyes are virtually kept closed all day. They have an almost silent flight and their mythical ability to steal milk from goats. They twist and turn with ease and are very elegant in flight, occasionally stopping for a moment on fluttering wings. Occasionally the wings clap together rather like a Woodpigeon at the top of his flight. Found on heath lands, moorlands, in open woodland with clearings, and in recently felled conifer plantations. Most numerous in southern England with good numbers in the New Forest, Dorset and Surrey heath lands, and Thetford forest in Suffolk. Also found in parts of Wales, northern England and SW Scotland. They rest during the day on branches or the ground, and lay two eggs directly on the ground. Nightjars arrive in the UK between late April to mid-May, and are best looked and listened for at dusk on warm, still, summer evenings. They leave for Africa during August and September. Their diet is mainly Moths and Beetles taken from air following nocturnal pursuit; you might try Mealworms to tempt them close to your vantage point.
Length27 cm
Maximum Recorded Age11 years, 0 months
Typical Lifespan4 years
Age at First Breeding1 year
First clutches laidLate June
Number of broods1
Number in Britain10,000
Conservation Status UKRed
Status in UKMigrant Breeder, Passage Visitor
Fledging18-19 days
Wingspan60cm
Weight83g
HabitatOpen Country
First Record10th Century
Egg Size32x22 mm
Egg Weight8.4 g
Clutch Size2 eggs
Incubation18 days
£10.00
