Owlet-Nightjars: Aegothelidae

The New Caledonian owlet-nightjar is Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The New Caledonian owlet-nightjar population was thought to be extinct.

The New Caledonian owlet-nightjar was identified in 1880 when a specimen, a single bird, was collected. No other birds were seen and the New Caledonian owlet-nightjar was declared extinct. However, the species had not died out. A New Caledonian owlet-nightjar was seen in 1998, and the conservation status was changed.

Australian owlet-nightjars live throughout Australia and New Guinea, are not considered endangered.

Other species hide so well that it is not known whether they are endangered. However, owlet-nightjar populations will be affected if habitat is lost due to deforestation, the removal of trees from forests.