Eurostopodidae

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Eared-nightjars
Head of Eurostopodus macrotis
Head of Eurostopodus macrotis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Eurostopodidae
Genus: Eurostopodus
Gould, 1838
Species
  • see text

The Eared-nightjars are a small family of birds related to nightjars. There are seven species, mainly found in forest and scrub from China to Australia. There is but one genus, Eurostopodus. Previously, they were considered a subfamily Eurostopodinae of the nightjar and nighthawk family Caprimulgidae.

Although similar to the nightjars, an important difference is the lack of bristles around the beak.

They are mainly solitary, and eat insects on the wing in the twilight, whistling constantly.

The nest, in which only one egg is laid, is a simple affair of dry leaves, often at the foot of a tree, where it is protected by the adult's excellent camouflage.

Species: