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
- 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
