Australian Owlet-nightjar
The last few days have been quite warm here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. So far our summer has been quite mild, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s (70-80 F). This little heat wave has come as a bit of shock to the system.
Last night we were enjoying our new veranda in the cool of the evening. Nothing worth watching on television so we switched it off. Nice just to sit and talk. As we talked we heard the unmistakable call of an Australian Owlet-nightjar. This delightful little nocturnal bird is more often heard than seen. We hadn’t heard or seen this species here at home for some months, so that was an added bonus.
About a year ago we had an Owlet-nightjar roosting in a hollow limb in a tree near my office. Several times every morning he would come to the entrance of the hollow, call several times, enjoy a few minutes of sunshine and then go back to sleep in the hollow. I miss that regular interruption to my daily routines.
The photo shows this bird at the entrance of the hollow.
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Ah! Trevor,
The Owlet-nightjar. One of our long-time bogey-birds. We are now prepared to admit their existence – we caught a fleeting glimpse of one during last year’s Twitchathon. However, as to getting a SATISFACTORY look at one……
Slippery little suckers aren’t they? I’m fortunate enough to have had several really good looks in bright sunlight – and getting a photo of the one above was a wonderful bonus.
[…] read more and see a photo click here or here. Tags: Nocturnal birds, owlet nightjar, Owls Frogmouths and Nightjars Category: Nocturnal […]
hmm… wonder if there are any in my area. might try some calls tonight. I’d love to get photos but just to see one would be great.
One has just taken up residence in a box we put up for rosellas, cute little things will keep an eye on them if they breed. Thought we had a sugar glider looking at us until we got closer.
Hi there Chris,
I was amazed the first time I saw one. For some reason I thought they’d be much bigger.
[…] UPDATE: I finally got to see one in our garden – and get a photo what’s more. To read about click here. […]
hi there just wondering if there is a twitchathon in south australia
will
Hi there Will,
Welcome to my blog.
I’m sorry – but as far as I know there have been no Twitchathons held in South Australia – and none are planned.
Hi Trevor , Pam here from Maiden Gully Vic.
We have a family in what used to be Sugar Gliders hollows, Just out side our bedroom window. The two parents can been seen sticking their heads out of 2 of three hollows during the day, and we have 2 babies in another hollow. Parents frequently call to the babes during the day and we hear feeding noises all through the night. The babies are small ,pure white balls of fluff. Its a real delight to have them here, but I think they have evicted our Sugar Gliders.( which we havent seen since the Owlet Nightjars arrived). Oh Well guess you cant have it all. PS, I have a photo of the babes but dont know how to put it on here.
Hi there Pamela,
Thanks for your comments. I’m envious – Sugar Gliders in your garden!
About the photos on my site – sorry, I only use my photos (and occasionally one taken by a family member). This is to avoid any tricky copyright issues.