These Not-Quite-Nightjars Might As Well Be Muppets

Within the Americas, nightjars are some of our most mysterious—and, let’s be trustworthy, freaky-looking—birds. However nighthawks and whip-poor-wills aren’t the one bristled and bug-eyed nocturnal birds on Earth. Learn on to find out about their entrancing cousins (in a single case, extraordinarily distant cousins). They might be nightjar lookalikes, however their extraordinary qualities are all their very own.

Potoos

You’d be fortunate to catch a glimpse of any of those species, however even in full daylight, potoos are
powerful to identify. Present in South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, a perched potoo—with its mottled brown feathers and upright posture—makes a really convincing lichen-covered department. Stick round after darkish, although, and also you simply may hear the birds sing.

Frogmouths

These chunky predators of Australia and South and Southeast Asia are a power to be reckoned with. They catch their nocturnal prey, which incorporates bugs, lizards, and even rodents, with an ambush. If needed, they’ll beat their quarry in opposition to one thing exhausting earlier than swallowing it down their prodigious gullets.

Oilbirds

The one species of their order, Oilbirds may effectively have been known as “Batbirds:” They nest in colonies inside caves in northern and western South America, Central America, and Trinidad and may even echolocate. Unique fruit eaters, Oilbirds even have distinctive senses of sight and scent, which assist them find their meals.

Owlet-Nightjars

Regardless of their identify—and, , every thing about them—owlet-nightjars are extra intently associated to swifts and hummingbirds than to the remainder of these oddballs. Elusive and understudied of their residence vary of Australia and New Guinea, a lot of their conduct stays a thriller.

This story initially ran within the Summer season 2026 difficulty. To obtain our print journal, turn out to be a member by making a donation today.