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Feline Owlet-nightjar

Aegotheles insignis

Least Concern
Wingspan
33.0 cm
Weight
76.53333333333333 g
Family
Aegothelidae
Order
Caprimulgiformes

About

A large owlet-nightjar (28-30 cm), the biggest in its family. Found in montane forests of New Guinea at 1,500-3,800 m elevation. Dark barred plumage with a cat-like facial disc. Nocturnal insectivore. Its vernacular name refers to its feline facial appearance.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Wingspan 33.0 cm 13.0 in
Weight 76.53333333333333 g 2.70 oz

Identification

Plumage

Large; rufous-brown upperparts with dark brown barring; underparts pale buff with dark brown barring throughout; facial disc bordered dark; two colour morphs—rufous and grey-brown; largest owlet-nightjar with somewhat cat-like facial patterning.

Habitat & Range

Geographic Range

Found in New Guinea from sea level to 2,400 m. Resident in lowland rainforest, hill forest, and lower montane moss forest.

Diet & Feeding

Nocturnal insectivore catching beetles and moths in short sallying flights; also gleans invertebrates from tree surfaces.

Conservation Status

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Nest type: CV.

Sound

Song

Cat-like mewing 'meeow' calls; high, eerie shrieks; cat-like quality unique among nightjars; calls from New Guinea highland forest at night; alarm a hissing screech

Taxonomy

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts)
Family Aegothelidae
Genus Aegotheles
Species Aegotheles insignis

Distribution

Feline Owlet-nightjar has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Present Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Feline Owlet-nightjar eat?
Nocturnal insectivore catching beetles and moths in short sallying flights; also gleans invertebrates from tree surfaces.
Where does the Feline Owlet-nightjar live?
Found in New Guinea from sea level to 2,400 m. Resident in lowland rainforest, hill forest, and lower montane moss forest.
Is the Feline Owlet-nightjar endangered?
The Feline Owlet-nightjar has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Feline Owlet-nightjar nest?
Nest type: CV.
What does the Feline Owlet-nightjar sound like?
Cat-like mewing 'meeow' calls; high, eerie shrieks; cat-like quality unique among nightjars; calls from New Guinea highland forest at night; alarm a hissing screech
How big is the Feline Owlet-nightjar?
The Feline Owlet-nightjar has a wingspan of 33.0 cm, weight of 76.53333333333333 g.
What order and family does the Feline Owlet-nightjar belong to?
The Feline Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles insignis) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Aegothelidae.

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