Australian Owlet-nightjar in our garden
The Australian Owlet-nightjar is a relatively common bird throughout much of Australia. With an overall size of 21-25cm it is our smallest nocturnal bird. In fact, the first time I saw this birds I was amazed at how tiny it really was. This individual was perched in full sunlight on a branch of a tree in a neighbour’s garden. This is something they will do occasionally. Normally they roost in the hollows of trees.
Despite being widespread in Australia, I suspect few people will have ever seen one, mainly because of their nocturnal habits. Their size may account for them often being overlooked too. I suspect that quite a few people may have heard this species but have no idea what was making the call. Its chirr-chirr call is a sound many Australians will have heard when out at night, especially in more rural areas, or when camping out bush away from traffic noises. Another common observation of this species would be a fleeting glance of one flying through the headlight beams of cars travelling country roads at night. Most people probably would dismiss it as a very large moth.
Resident in our garden?
At present I am thinking that this species is resident in our garden. Over recent weeks I have heard it calling on many occasions, often an hour or so after sunset. I usually head outdoors, torch in hand, trying to track it down. The fact that their eyes do not reflect torchlight makes the quest just that little bit harder.
More puzzling, however, is hearing the call during the daylight hours, usually just the once and quite close to the house. A little research indicates that they sometimes do this. It has happened three or four times in the last week or so. Whenever I go out pursuing this lovely bird trying to get a photo, I have no idea where to start looking – apart from the obvious tree hollows nearby. It’s all very frustrating.
UPDATE: I finally got to see one in our garden – and get a photo what’s more. To read about click here.
Further reading:
- Great Birding Moments – Spotted Nightjar – an article and photo about a close encounter with another nightjar species.
- Spotted Nightjar
- Birds in Backyards: Australian Owlet-nightjar – this article includes a photo, a painting and a map of distribution.
The photo below shows a related species, the Spotted Nightjar. (Click on the photo to enlarge the image.)
Spotted Nightjar
Hi Trevor,
I am sorry to have to tell you that you were obviously mistaken by whatever it was you THOUGHT you saw, because, you see, Owlet-nightjars don’t, in fact, exist! They are just figments of people’s poor, misguided imaginations!
After many fruitless searches for this supposedly ‘common’ bird, in many parts of the country, we have never been able to find a single one, and so have concluded that there is a vast conspiracy out there, trying to convince the unwary birder of the existence of what I am sure would otherwise be a delightful bird.
Hi Trevor. I see you are as nuts as I am about birds. Just wanted to say hi from South Africa.
Casper
PS Nice pics!
Hi there John,
If I read your comments correctly, you are definitely one of the great UNbelievers. How could you doubt the existence of such a cute little bird?
On the cuteness scale it is right up there with the fairies at the bottom of your garden. Trust me – there is no conspiracy at work here!
Welcome to my birding blog Casper.
I guess you could say that I am a little nutty about birds. I will take that as a compliment. I hope to visit your wonderful country sometime and see first hand some of your great birds and animals. Meanwhile I will content myself with travelogues and nature programmes on television.
Hi Trevor,
at this rate, I’ll probably see the fairies before I do the Owlet-nightjar!!
[…] This enigmatic little owl-like bird can be so frustrating. I have heard it calling many times in many places. It often calls at night from somewhere in our garden – but I’ve spent fruitless hours looking for glimpse of one. My only really good sighting occurred a few years ago in my neighbour’s garden. You can read about that here. […]
[…] This enigmatic little owl-like bird can be so frustrating. I have heard it calling many times in many places. It often calls at night from somewhere in our garden – but I’ve spent fruitless hours looking for glimpse of one. My only really good sighting occurred a few years ago in my neighbour’s garden. You can read about that here. […]
[…] Australian Owlet-nightjar in our garden […]
Hi Trevor,
I am researching info on the net about owlet-nightjars because we have two chicks on our tree nesting box. They have been spending many hours during the day perched together in the hollow entrance sunning themselves. We had been hearing a call at night as its just outside our bedroom window and wondering what is was, so now we know. They are the cutest little birds I have ever seen and they look at me so inquisitively.
Keep on the prowl or how about putting up some nesting boxes?
Welcome Brooke,
How exciting to have them nesting so close to your house. I have been saying for some time now that I need to make and put out some nesting boxes around our garden and 5 acre block. Must do it.
Hi Trevor , Pam here from Maiden Gully Vic.
We have 2 tiny babies (Owlet Nightjars) in what used to be a sugar glider box, They are pure white and very fluffy, Its a delight to have them here, however I think they must have evicted our Sugar Gliders. The box is about 5 mts from our bedroom window and they are rather noisy at night. Oh well : we love them anyway.
Hi Pam,
Thanks for sharing your excitement. They certainly are wonderful little birds. The first time I saw an adult I couldn’t believe how tiny they were. Small and almost too dainty to be an owl. The babies must be adorable – and so close to the house – wonderful.