Feline Owlet-nightjar vs Starry Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles insignis compared with Aegotheles tatei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Feline Owlet-nightjar | Starry Owlet-nightjar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegotheles insignis | Aegotheles tatei |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Aegothelidae | Aegothelidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) | 29.2 cm (11.5 in) |
| Weight | 76.53333333333333 g (2.70 oz) | 52.0 g (1.83 oz) |
| Diet | Nocturnal insectivore catching beetles and moths in short sallying flights; also gleans invertebrates from tree … | Night-active forager on large beetles, ants, and moths; combines short aerial pursuits with bark-gleaning. |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Feline Owlet-nightjar
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
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
Feline Owlet-nightjar
Found in New Guinea from sea level to 2,400 m. Resident in lowland rainforest, hill forest, and lower montane moss forest.
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
Feline Owlet-nightjar
Starry Owlet-nightjar
How to Tell Them Apart
Feline Owlet-nightjar
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 …
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
Feline Owlet-nightjar
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.
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.