Owlet-nightjars – Bird Genus Aegotheles

The nocturnal Owlet-nightjars are related to the nightjars and frogmouths that have the appearance of small owls with big eyes.

Distribution / Range

Most of its members are native to New Guinea, but some species extend to Australia, the Maluku Islands (Moluccas) in Indonesia, and New Caledonia.

Diet / Feeding

Owlet-nightjars mostly feed on insects hunted in the air or on the ground. Their soft plumage is a mix of browns and paler shades. Their tiny bills are surrounded by whiskers and open extraordinarily wide.

Their wings are short and the tail is long and rounded.

Living Subspecies

• Genus Aegotheles
  • New Caledonian Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles savesi
  • Feline Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles insignis
  • Starry Owlet-nightjar or Spangled Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles tatei
  • Long-whiskered Owlet-nightjar or Moluccan Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles crinifrons
  • Australian Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles cristatus
    • Aegotheles cristatus tasmanicus[Aegotheles cristatus leucogaster] – usually considered invalid[Aegotheles cristatus major] – usually considered invalid
    Barred Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles bennettii
    • Upland Barred Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles (bennettii) affinis
  • Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles wallacii
  • Archbold’s Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles archboldi
  • Mountain Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles albertisi
    • Salvadori’s Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles (albertisi) salvadorii