Understanding Great Eared Nightjar Behavior

The great eared nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis) is a nocturnal bird whose behavior centers on twilight feeding, cryptic daytime roosting, and distinctive night calls. Observing it requires patience, quiet, and a willingness to adapt to its crepuscular and nocturnal rhythms.

What Is the Great Eared Nightjar?

The great eared nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar found in parts of South and Southeast Asia. It has long, broad wings, a large head with prominent ear-like feather tufts, and mottled brown, gray, and buff plumage that blends perfectly with leaf litter and bark. This camouflage is central to its roosting behavior, as it relies on stillness and concealment during the day.

Feeding Behavior: Aerial Insect Hawking at Dusk

Feeding in the great eared nightjar is almost entirely nocturnal and crepuscular. The bird hunts flying insects—moths, beetles, flying ants, and termites—by sallying from a perch or patrolling open areas such as forest clearings, riverbanks, and grasslands. Its wide mouth, fringed with stiff bristles, acts like a net to scoop insects from the air. You are most likely to observe this behavior in the last hour of daylight and for a few hours after sunset, especially on warm, humid evenings when insect activity peaks.

What to Watch For

• Silent, buoyant flight with frequent direction changes as the bird chases individual insects.
• Short sallies from a low perch, returning to the same branch or stump between captures.
• Occasional hovering or fluttering near foliage to disturb prey.

Practical Tip

Visit open woodland edges or clearings near water at dusk. Position yourself downwind and remain still. Use a dim red flashlight or no light at all—white light will startle the bird and disrupt its hunting.

Roosting Habits: Mastery of Camouflage

During the day, the great eared nightjar roosts on the ground, on a low branch, or on a fallen log. It sits lengthwise along the substrate, flattening its body and closing its eyes to slits. Its cryptic plumage and motionless posture make it nearly invisible. This behavior is not only a defense against predators but also an energy-saving strategy for a bird that is active at night.

How to Find a Roosting Bird

1. Scan areas with dappled light and mixed leaf litter, especially under dense brush or at the base of trees.
2. Look for a shape that seems slightly out of place—a subtle outline that breaks the pattern of leaves and twigs.
3. Move slowly and pause often. The bird may flush only if you approach within a few feet, which is a sign you are too close.

Respectful Viewing

Never disturb a roosting nightjar. If it flushes, note the location and retreat quietly. Repeated flushing can cause stress and abandonment of a favored roost site.

Vocalizations: The Night's Soundtrack

The vocalizations of the great eared nightjar are among its most reliable field marks. The most common call is a sharp, repetitive “tuk-tuk-tuk” or “chonk-chonk-chonk”, often given in long series from a perch or during flight. Some observers describe it as resembling the sound of a distant engine or a wooden rattle. The call carries far in still night air, helping you locate the bird even when it cannot be seen.

When and Why It Calls

Males call most actively during the breeding season, which varies by region but often corresponds with the onset of rains. Calling peaks in the first hours after sunset and again before dawn. The call serves to advertise territory and attract a mate, so a steady series of notes from a fixed point often indicates a territorial male.

Listening Practice

Before your outing, listen to recordings from reputable bird sound libraries to attune your ear. In the field, cup your hands behind your ears to amplify faint sounds. Note the rhythm and pitch—each nightjar species has a unique pattern.

Seasonal Changes and Observation Timing

Great eared nightjar behavior shifts with the seasons. In many areas, breeding activity and vocal displays increase just before and during the rainy season, when insect prey is abundant. During drier months, birds may be quieter and more nomadic, following local insect hatches. Planning your observations around moon phases helps: on brighter nights, you may see more foraging activity, while on dark nights you may rely more on sound.

Comparison: Great Eared Nightjar vs. Other Nightjars

The following table highlights behaviors that distinguish the great eared nightjar from other common nightjar species you might encounter.

Preparing for Your Next Outing

To observe great eared nightjar behavior successfully, bring essentials: binoculars with good low-light performance, a headlamp with a red-light mode, insect repellent, and a notebook for field notes. Wear quiet, earth-toned clothing. Arrive before sunset to choose a vantage point with a view of open sky and nearby perches. Record the time, weather, and moon phase in your notes—over repeated visits, patterns will emerge.

Above all, practice patience. The great eared nightjar rewards the quiet observer with glimpses of a hidden life: a silent hunter in the twilight, a motionless shadow by day, and a voice that carries through the dark. By observing with care and respect, you become part of that landscape, not an intruder in it.