Great-Eared Nightjar 🦅 A Real-Life Dragon Bird! #GreatEaredNightjar #Nightjar #Bird #Birds #birdsofinstagram | 1 Minute Animals

What’s that strange noise...? 🤔 It's the churring call of a male nightjar — a mysterious bird with a reputation for the supernatural. This one was spotted at our Dunsford Reserve🌿✨ With their camouflaged plumage, silent flight, and old myths of stealing milk from goats, nightjars have long stirred the imagination — but in reality, they’re after moths, beetles, and other insects. Head to heathland or young conifer woodland at dusk and you might just hear one... Why not plan a visit to one of ou

Did you know that nightjars are great mothers? They are ground-nesting birds, meaning they don't lay eggs in a nest. Instead they choose to nest directly on the ground, where their bark like feathers act as camouflage. This unusual choice of nesting habitat means they are vulnerable to potential predators, so to protect their young and ward off danger, mothers will often fake an injury. Something to think about next time you're taking a walk through heathland! #MothersDay | RSPB

And the prize for fluffiest chick goes to...the adorable Nightjar! Be mindful of ground nesting Nightjars at this time of year when out exploring heathland, moorland, and woodland. Their incredible camouflage cleverly masks them as a log or piece of bark on the ground. Once Nightjars have found a suitable nest site, females lay their eggs on secluded patches of bare ground. Eggs will hatch around 18 days later, typically fledging one or two chicks in a further 18 days. Each pair normally raise t