Eared nightjar is a mystical creation and a easily recognized bird because of its haunting calls. This mystical bird belongs to the Caprimulgidae family. The scientific name of great eared nightjar is Lyncornis macrotis. However, the other names of this bird are Giant eared nightjar, Giant nightjar, and Philippine eared nightjar.
Moreover, this bird is found in the Southwest India, and in some parts of Southeast Asia. Their natural habitat is subtropical and lowland moist tropical forest. The bird’s English name is widely accepted, which is Great Eared Nightjar. This bird first and formally appeared in 1831 by Nicholas Aylward Vigros an Irish Zoologist.
Appearance of Great Eared Nightjar
This nocturnal bird, is usually often seen and heard through their resonant cry that echo through the dark. Theyr have unique appearance they look like “dragon”. They have long ear tufts, big eyes, with brown black-gray plumage. Their plumage helps their long and pointed wings and tails.
Furthermore, it is a medium size bird and their length ranges from 31 to 41 cm, in inches it is about 12 to 16 in. The average weight of male nightjar is 131 g, whereas, female nightjar weight more than males which is around 151 g. Their weight make them the one of the heaviest specie of the family, after the family of Nacunda Nighthawk. However, along with the long tail and pointed wings, they have short and wide breaks that open approximately around 120 degree.
Interesting facts about Great Eared Nightjar
| Name | Great Eared Nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis) |
| Place | Southwest India and parts of Southeast Asia |
| Eat | Moths, beetles etc. |
| Largest nightjar | In the the family of Caprimulgidae. |
Behaviour of Great Eared Nightjar
The Great Eared Nightjar is active at night, they hunt flying insects like moths, beetles etc. They have large mouth that allows them to quickly lift insects with grace. Moreover, these birds don’t still on claws, they change their direction and feed with their wide gape.
However, this bird is quite at day time, their haunted calls and reverberating are usually heard at night. Generally, their vocalization are for communication with territory, especially during breeding.
Nesting Strategies
Moreover, the most interesting fact about this bird is that they don’t make traditional nest. They lay their coloured egg on the ground, usually on leaf litters and on shallow forest floor. The great nightjar camouflage helps them to blend in surrounding to protect eggs from predators. Moreover, both parents actively participating for the protection of eggs.
Conculsion
The great eared nightjar is a nature’s fascinating bird. Its dragon like appearance, haunting calls and brilliant camouflage makes them out standing in birds world. As well as in the imagination who encounters them or who wants to see them. They prefer to live in subtropical and lowland moist tropical forest. Moreover, they are native of Southwest India, and in some parts of Southeast Asia. Their unique appearance, nesting strategies and silent at daytime makes them mystical creature. This brilliant creature reminds of wonders that dwells in the wild.