Barred Owlet-nightjar vs Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles bennettii compared with Aegotheles cristatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barred Owlet-nightjar | Australian Owlet-nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegotheles bennettii | Aegotheles cristatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Aegothelidae | Aegothelidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 24.6 cm (9.7 in) | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 52.416666666666664 g (1.85 oz) | 48.0 g (1.69 oz) |
| Diet | Crepuscular and nocturnal aerial insectivore; catches beetles, moths, and flying ants in short sallying flights … | Crepuscular to nocturnal; feeds on large beetles, moths, and flying insects by aerial sallies and … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Barred Owlet-nightjar
Churring 'churr-churr'; moderate-pitched trill from New Guinea lowland forest; calls at night from tree hollows; alarm a chattering series; repetitive territorial call
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
Barred Owlet-nightjar
Found in New Guinea and adjacent islands in lowland and hill forest. Resident in diverse forest types from coast to 1,500 m elevation.
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Found throughout Australia including Tasmania. Resident in woodland, mallee scrub, and suburban areas. Australia's most widespread owlet-nightjar.
Conservation Status
Barred Owlet-nightjar
Australian Owlet-nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Barred Owlet-nightjar
Brown upperparts with distinct dark brown barring creating ladder-like pattern; underparts pale buff with extensive dark barring; bold facial disc markings; New Guinea species with the most conspicuously barred plumage …
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
Barred Owlet-nightjar
A medium-sized owlet-nightjar (23-26 cm) found in forests and savanna woodland of New Guinea and northern Australia. Barred brown plumage with a dark crown and facial disc. Nocturnal insectivore, nesting in tree hollows. The most widespread New Guinean owlet-nightjar.
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.