Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Grey Nightjar
Caprimulgus jotaka
Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka) — Nightjars & Allies of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 91.6 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 Caprimulgus
- Species jotaka
Quick facts
- Weight
- 91.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Grey Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Himalayas to e, se Asia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 91.6 g, with a wing length of about 20.3 cm and a tail of around 13.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 7.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey Nightjar?
The Grey Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 91.6 g.
Where does the Grey Nightjar live?
The Grey Nightjar is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Himalayas to e, se Asia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Grey Nightjar belong to?
The Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Grey Nightjar eat?
The Grey Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Grey Nightjar migrate?
The Grey Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey 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 Grey Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the Grey Nightjar — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Grey Nightjar's range?
The Grey Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 7.9 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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