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    Aegotheles – Owlet-nightjars

    They are not owls, nightjars, or frogmouth- representing the phrase don’t judge a book by its cover

    Owlet-nightjars are nocturnal and enjoy living in forests and woodlands. The distinct plumes and facial bristles help to differentiate one species from another. In addition, their plumage looks identical to the tree bark, allowing them to blend into the surroundings easily. Tiny feet and large eyes make them look adorable.

    They feed on various insects that they hunt by either perching or walking on the ground. The morphological and genetic analyses suggest that they have evolved from swifts, although they resemble nightjars more. It will be interesting to conduct more research to uncover the phylogeny of these birds.