Owlet-Nightjars: Aegothelidae - Diet

DIET

Owlet-nightjars are insectivores, animals that eat insects. Their diet also includes small invertebrates, spineless creatures like millipedes and spiders. The mountain owlet-nightjar of New Guinea eats insects and earthworms.

The diets of some owlet-nightjar species are not known. The birds remain hidden from people during the day and are not always seen at night when they hunt for food.

Owlet-nightjars usually hunt and catch their prey by flying from their tree perches to the ground. Sometimes the owlet-nightjars chase and catch food while flying. The birds catch prey with their bills and swallow it whole.