Feline Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles insignis
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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
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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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Feline Owlet-nightjar eat?
Where does the Feline Owlet-nightjar live?
Is the Feline Owlet-nightjar endangered?
How does the Feline Owlet-nightjar nest?
What does the Feline Owlet-nightjar sound like?
How big is the Feline Owlet-nightjar?
What order and family does the Feline Owlet-nightjar belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Aegothelidae family