in the mangroves - a wee owlet-nightjar

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Australian Owlet-nightjar
Scientific Name: Aegotheles cristatus
Description: The Australian Owlet-nightjar is the smallest of the nocturnal birds (night birds) found in Australia. Its large brown eyes are non-reflective when exposed to a torch or spotlight (other nocturnal birds give a red reflection). The Owlet-nightjar has two different plumage colourations: russet-brown (rufous), and the more common grey. In both forms the birds are paler below, and are faintly barred with black. There are two wide black stripes that extend over the head from the top of the eyes, and meet on the back of the neck. The rufous form is restricted to the female birds, which, even in the grey form, tend to be more rufous-tinged than the males. Young Owlet-nightjars resemble adults, but have less distinct black markings.
Distribution: The Australian Owlet-nightjar is one of the most common and widespread of Australia's nocturnal birds. It occurs throughout Australia and its islands, as well as southern New Guinea.
Habitat: The preferred habitat of the Australian Owlet-nightjar is almost any tree-studded area where there are suitable hollows, although open areas are also visited. During the day it roosts in hollow branches and tree trunks. The birds form permanent bonds, and pairs occupy the same territory throughout the year.
Feeding: Owlet-nightjars feed at night on a variety of insects. Birds will readily take flying prey, or will pounce on prey either on the ground or in trees. Hunting takes place within a territory and normally in pairs. The Owlet-nightjars watch for food while in flight, or by sitting and searching from a suitable perch.
Breeding: Australian Owlet-nightjars raise one brood per season. Both sexes construct the nest, which is a bed of green leaves, placed in a suitable tree hollow or rock crevice. Both birds also incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.
Calls: The common calls consist of a loud grating chirr of either two or three notes, typically "chirr-chirr-chirr".
Minimum Size: 21cm
Maximum Size: 25cm
Average size: 23cm
Breeding season: July to December
Clutch Size: 2 to 5 eggs
Incubation: 28 days
Nestling Period: 28 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Aegotheles-cristatus)

© Chris Burns 2022
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Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Wynnum North (show map)

Taken on: March 5, 2019

Tags:

Australian Owlet-nightjar

Aegotheles cristatus

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Australian bird

fauna

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Nikon Nikon D500

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

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Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk

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Camera: Nikon D500, f/5.6, 1/125 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 250 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D500
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	250
Exposure Bias:	+1/3 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop 23.2 (Windows)
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