India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia (northern regions)
Appearance :
The Large-tailed Nightjar is a medium-sized nocturnal bird with a cryptic plumage that blends into its surroundings. It has a long tail (as the name suggests), brown and gray mottled body, a broad, flat head, and large eyes well-adapted for night vision. The wings are rounded, and the feathers are patterned with black, brown, and buff streaks for camouflage.
Behaviour :
This bird is generally solitary or found in pairs. It is a ground-dwelling bird that relies on its camouflage for protection during the day, as it is mostly active at dusk and night.
Habitat :
The Large-tailed Nightjar inhabits open woodlands, scrublands, edges of forests, grasslands, and areas near water bodies. It can also be found in plantations, cultivated fields, and rural gardens.
Diet :
It feeds mainly on insects, especially moths, beetles, grasshoppers, and other flying insects, which it catches in flight during the night.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
The Large-tailed Nightjar has a wide distribution across South and Southeast Asia
Population Size :
The exact population size is unknown, but the species is described as common and widely distributed within its range.
Life Span :
Typically, nightjars live for around 5 to 10 years.
Body And Tarsus:
Body: The Large-tailed Nightjar has a slender, elongated body. Its cryptic coloration, including brown, gray, and black streaks, helps it blend into the ground during the day. The bird’s long tail and wings add to its streamlined appearance, which aids its aerial hunting behavior.
Tarsus: The tarsus (lower leg) is relatively short in nightjars, as they are ground-dwelling birds.
Tarsus Length: The tarsus length of the Large-tailed Nightjar is typically between 14–16 mm.
Head And Bill :
Head: The head is broad and flat with a wide gape, suited for catching insects during flight. The large eyes are well-suited for nocturnal activity, and there are small whisker-like bristles around the mouth that help detect prey.
Eyes: Large and round, the eyes are highly adapted for night vision, allowing the bird to see well in low light conditions. The eyes are dark in color, providing a wide field of view for spotting prey during dusk and nighttime.
Bill: The bill is short and broad but not very prominent. The gape is wide, helping the bird capture insects in flight.
Bill Length: The bill length is around 10–12 mm.
Length :
The total length of the Large-tailed Nightjar ranges between 27–32 cm.
Neck :
The neck is short and not very distinct from the body, which helps maintain the bird’s streamlined form while flying and camouflaging on the ground.
Size :
The Large-tailed Nightjar is considered medium-sized within its family
Tail Details :
Tail: The tail is long and rounded with cryptic patterning. It plays a significant role in aerial maneuvers while hunting for insects during the night.
Tail Length: The tail length is around 15–18 cm.
Feathers: The feathers are soft and mottled with browns, grays, and black to provide excellent camouflage. They are designed to reduce noise during flight, aiding in stealthy hunting.
Weight :
The weight of the Large-tailed Nightjar typically ranges between 60–100 grams.
Wing :
The wings are long and broad, providing strong lift and gliding ability during night flights. The shape aids in silent, swift flight, which is essential for catching insects mid-air.
Wing Span :
The wingspan of the Large-tailed Nightjar ranges from 50–55 cm.
Facial Feature :
The face of the Large-tailed Nightjar is flat with a broad head. It has large, dark eyes adapted for night vision. There are small, whisker-like feathers called "rictal bristles" around the mouth, which help it detect prey while hunting at night.
Nest Details :
Nest: The Large-tailed Nightjar does not build a structured nest. Instead, it typically lays its eggs directly on the ground, usually in a shallow scrape among dead leaves, grasses, or on bare soil. The location is well camouflaged to protect the eggs and chicks from predators.
Nest Made up of: The "nest" is just a simple ground scrape without any added material or structure.
Breeding Season :
In tropical regions, breeding often occurs during the wet season.
Nesting Season :
The nesting season for the Large-tailed Nightjar in India generally occurs between March and July.
Egg Color :
The eggs are pale white or creamy with spots or blotches of brown, gray, or purple.
Egg Length :
Eggs are typically around 30–34 mm in length.
Egg Width and Weight :
Egg Width: The egg width is about 20–24 mm.
Egg Weight: The eggs weigh approximately 5–6 grams each.
Clutch Size :
The Large-tailed Nightjar typically lays 1–2 eggs.
No. of Broods :
The species usually has 1 brood per year, but occasionally, under favorable conditions, a second brood may be possible.
Incubation Period :
The incubation period lasts for about 18–21 days.
Nestling Period :
After hatching, the chicks are cared for by both parents for about 17–20 days.
Vocalization :
The Large-tailed Nightjar has a distinctive call, often described as a repeated "chonk-chonk" sound, which is commonly heard at dusk or early morning.
Sex Demorphism :
Males may have slightly more pronounced white markings on the wings and tail feathers.
Migration Details :
The Large-tailed Nightjar is mostly sedentary within its tropical and subtropical range. However, some populations may exhibit local movements in response to food availability, seasonal weather patterns, or breeding cycles.