Photo: Aviceda / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-throated Nightjar
Eurostopodus mystacalis
White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis) — Nightjars & Allies of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 135 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 mystacalis
Where it lives
Northeastern Cape York Pen., northeastern QLD to south-central VIC (eastern Australia)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 135 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-throated Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The White-throated Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU ne Cape York Pen., ne QLD to sc VIC (e Australia).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 135 g, with a wing length of about 25.2 cm and a tail of around 16.2 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 989,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-throated Nightjar?
The White-throated Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 135 g.
Where does the White-throated Nightjar live?
The White-throated Nightjar is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU ne Cape York Pen., ne QLD to sc VIC (e Australia), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-throated Nightjar belong to?
The White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the White-throated Nightjar eat?
The White-throated Nightjar is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the White-throated Nightjar migrate?
The White-throated Nightjar is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-throated 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 White-throated Nightjar make?
1 real field recording of the White-throated 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 White-throated Nightjar's range?
The White-throated Nightjar has a mapped global range of about 989,000 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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