Caprimulgidae – Nightjars
They become active at night, hide in plain sight, and fool you in bright daylight
Nightjars could be awarded the title of the best spy among all other birds. The dark-colored plumage helps them camouflage and become almost invisible against a tree branch.
You might think these nocturnal birds are relative to the owls, but that is not true. These rather cute birds like to stay in the dark and away from the sight of all sorts of predators. Their huge eyes are light-sensitive and adapted to their night lifestyle. It is tough to spot them; therefore, only limited data is available to understand their behavior. Consequently, you are most likely to pass through them, mistaking them for a part of the tree.
Genera in this family
Caprimulgus is rooted in the Latin word “Capra,” meaning “goatsuckers,” advocating a myth that they used their giant mouths to suck milk from goats
Cryptic nocturnal birds blend right into the darkness