Spotted Nightjar
Eurostopodus argus
Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) — Nightjars & Allies of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 7 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 93.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Caprimulgiformes
- Family Caprimulgidae Nightjars
- Genus Eurostopodus
- Species argus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 93.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spotted Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Spotted Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Australia (except se, Tasmania).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 93.4 g, with a wing length of about 21.3 cm and a tail of around 15 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spotted Nightjar?
The Spotted Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 93.4 g.
Where does the Spotted Nightjar live?
The Spotted Nightjar is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Australia (except se, Tasmania), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Spotted Nightjar belong to?
The Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Spotted Nightjar eat?
The Spotted Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Spotted Nightjar migrate?
The Spotted Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Spotted Nightjar endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Spotted Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Spotted Nightjar — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Spotted Nightjar's range?
The Spotted Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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