Australian Owlet-nightjar vs Starry Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles cristatus compared with Aegotheles tatei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Australian Owlet-nightjar | Starry Owlet-nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegotheles cristatus | Aegotheles tatei |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Aegothelidae | Aegothelidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) | 29.2 cm (11.5 in) |
| Weight | 48.0 g (1.69 oz) | 52.0 g (1.83 oz) |
| Diet | Crepuscular to nocturnal; feeds on large beetles, moths, and flying insects by aerial sallies and … | Night-active forager on large beetles, ants, and moths; combines short aerial pursuits with bark-gleaning. |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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
Starry Owlet-nightjar
Churring trill with whistled elements; 'cherr-wick' phrases; calls from New Guinea montane forest; medium pitched; alarm a sharp 'chek'; calls at dusk from dense vegetation
Geographic Range & Migration
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Found throughout Australia including Tasmania. Resident in woodland, mallee scrub, and suburban areas. Australia's most widespread owlet-nightjar.
Starry Owlet-nightjar
Found in the highlands of New Guinea at 1,800–3,400 m. Resident in montane and subalpine forest. Poorly known and rarely recorded.
Conservation Status
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Starry Owlet-nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
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 …
Starry Owlet-nightjar
Dark brown upperparts densely spotted with small white starlike spots on coverts; pale underparts barred brown; distinctively dotted wing coverts give a starry appearance; New Guinea montane endemic with bold …
About These Birds
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.
Starry Owlet-nightjar
A medium-sized owlet-nightjar (24-26 cm) found in montane forests of New Guinea. Warm brown plumage with white starry spots on the wing coverts. Nocturnal insectivore. Poorly known, restricted to high-altitude cloud forests. Named for the star-like wing markings.