Owlet-Nightjars: Aegothelidae

Australian owlet-nightjars hunt for food within a specific territory. Birds usually pair up to forage, look for food, at night. During the day, birds remain hidden in nests.

Owlet-nightjars are hole-nesters, building nests in holes in trees and openings in rocks.

Australian owlet-nightjars breed from July through December. The male and female birds build a nest out of green leaves. They build the nest in openings such as the hollow of a tree or the crevice in a rock. The female lays two to five eggs in the nest. Both parents incubate the eggs, sitting on them to keep them warm. The eggs hatch after about four weeks. Owlet-nightjar chicks stay in the nest for about three to five weeks. These owlet-nightjars have one brood, set of chicks, each year.

Threats to owlet-nightjars include predators like domestic cats that hunt the birds and eat them. In addition, when owlet-nightjars hunt for food, they may be killed by drivers who do not see the birds flying at night.