Moluccan Owlet-nightjar vs Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles crinifrons compared with Aegotheles cristatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Moluccan Owlet-nightjar | Australian Owlet-nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegotheles crinifrons | Aegotheles cristatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Aegothelidae | Aegothelidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.9 cm (13.0 in) | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 136.0 g (4.80 oz) | 48.0 g (1.69 oz) |
| Diet | Strictly nocturnal; takes beetles, moths, and flying termites in sallying flight from a perch near … | Crepuscular to nocturnal; feeds on large beetles, moths, and flying insects by aerial sallies and … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar only
None
Australian Owlet-nightjar only
Song & Call Comparison
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar
Loud, resonant churring; deep 'churr-churr' for an owlet-nightjar; calls from Halmahera forest at night; larger size reflected in lower pitch; alarm a harsh bark
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
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar
Endemic to the northern Moluccas of Indonesia. Resident in lowland and hill forest on Halmahera and adjacent islands.
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Found throughout Australia including Tasmania. Resident in woodland, mallee scrub, and suburban areas. Australia's most widespread owlet-nightjar.
Conservation Status
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar
Australian Owlet-nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar
Large; dark sooty-brown upperparts with grey-buff barring; underparts pale buff heavily barred dark brown; very dark facial markings; North Moluccan endemic and one of the largest owlet-nightjars with uniformly dark …
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
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar
A medium-sized owlet-nightjar (25-29 cm) endemic to the Moluccan Islands of Indonesia. Dark brown plumage with rufous tones and a prominent erectile crest. Nocturnal insectivore of forest and forest edge. Found on Halmahera, Bacan, and possibly other islands.
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.