Mountain Owlet-nightjar vs Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles albertisi compared with Aegotheles cristatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Owlet-nightjar | Australian Owlet-nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegotheles albertisi | Aegotheles cristatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Aegothelidae | Aegothelidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 22.8 cm (9.0 in) | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 37.6 g (1.33 oz) | 48.0 g (1.69 oz) |
| Diet | Nocturnal beetle and moth specialist; forages by short aerial pursuits and occasionally picks invertebrates from … | Crepuscular to nocturnal; feeds on large beetles, moths, and flying insects by aerial sallies and … |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Mountain Owlet-nightjar only
None
Australian Owlet-nightjar only
Song & Call Comparison
Mountain Owlet-nightjar
High-pitched churring trill; rapid 'cheerr-cheerr' from New Guinea mountains; calls at night from montane forest; alarm a sharp rapid chatter; higher than lowland species
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Loud, churring 'churr-churr' and yapping 'quee-quee'; distinctive churring trill; calls at night from tree hollows in Australian woodland; alarm a sharp yapping series
Geographic Range & Migration
Mountain Owlet-nightjar
Found in the mountains of New Guinea at 1,200–3,700 m. Resident in montane rainforest and moss forest. Widespread in New Guinea highlands.
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Found throughout Australia including Tasmania. Resident in woodland, mallee scrub, and suburban areas. Australia's most widespread owlet-nightjar.
Conservation Status
Mountain Owlet-nightjar
Australian Owlet-nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Mountain Owlet-nightjar
Rufous-brown upperparts with dark blackish barring; underparts pale buff barred dark brown; facial disc with dark border lines; New Guinea montane species with warm rufous tones distinguishing it from lowland …
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Grey-brown upperparts with dark brown barring; underparts pale buff finely barred dark; facial disc with bold dark bars; small crest feathers; two morphs—grey and rufous-brown; commonly seen perching upright in …
About These Birds
Mountain Owlet-nightjar
A medium-sized owlet-nightjar (21-24 cm) found in montane forests of New Guinea at 1,200-3,700 m elevation. Variable plumage with rufous and grey morphs. Nocturnal insectivore, feeding on beetles and moths near the ground. One of the more commonly encountered New Guinea owlet-nightjars.
Australian Owlet-nightjar
A small owlet-nightjar (21-25 cm), the most widespread and familiar member of its family. Found across Australia and southern New Guinea. Grey or rufous plumage with bold dark streaks and a distinctive facial disc. Nocturnal insectivore nesting in tree hollows. Resident and common.