Owlet-nightjars (Aegothelidae)
Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus) - HBW 5, p. 264
French: Égothèle d’Australie
German: Baumschwalm
Spanish: Egotelo Australiano
Other common names: Crested/Savanna Owlet-nightjar
Taxonomy: Caprimulgus cristatus Shaw et al., 1790, New South Wales = Sydney area.
Apparently a close relative of A. bennettii, and formerly considered conspecific; A. bennettii affinis sometimes erroneously included within present species. Variation complex, but much of it clinal, with largest birds in N of range; population in S New Guinea formerly treated as separate race, major, but appears to represent no more than end-point of size cline of nominate form; several other races listed in old literature are based on individual or polymorphic variation in coloration. Two subspecies currently recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- cristatus (Shaw et al., 1790) - SE New Guinea between R Oriomo and Tarara (Port Moresby region); Australia.
- tasmanicus Mathews, 1918 - Tasmania.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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Three birds in a tree-hollow, two resting and one preening Locality Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Geoffrey Dabb 31 October 2002 6 years ago 42 sec 4.9 -
A bird perched and a close-up of its feet and head, on the night. Locality Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Victoria, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Josep del Hoyo 29 October 2009 2 years ago 33 sec 4.8 -
A bird in the nest hole and entering in frightened by a noise. Locality O'Reilly's, Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Josep del Hoyo 17 October 2010 2 years ago 29 sec 4.5 -
Three birds apparently dozing, tracking the photographer as he walks to their right and then to their left Locality Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Geoffrey Dabb 31 October 2002 6 years ago 43 sec 4.4 -
One, two and then three birds in a tree-hollow Locality Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Geoffrey Dabb 31 October 2002 6 years ago 38 sec 4.3 -
A bird perched on the night. Locality Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Victoria, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Josep del Hoyo 29 October 2009 2 years ago 21 sec 4.2
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Taking the morning sun before retiring into the hollow for the rest of the day.
Locality Stirling Range Retreat, Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Clive Nealon 20 September 2011 1 year ago 4.1 -
perched at night on dirt road
Locality Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Dusan Brinkhuizen 21 October 2005 3 years ago 3.8 -
An adult that was found perched in broad day light. Several other Owlet- Nightjars were also heard calling at this time. A pecul
Locality Monarto Conservation Park, Monarto, South Australia, Australia
Edward Smith 14 January 2011 1 year ago 3.8 -
A bird at the entrance of a roost in a hollow branch, sunning
Locality Mount Ainslie, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (ssp cristatus)
Nick Talbot 8 July 2006 3 years ago 3.8 -
Adult perched in early morning light.
Locality Monarto Conservation Park, Monarto, South Australia, Australia
Peter Strauss 23 February 2012 22 weeks ago 3.7 -
A pair of juveniles in their nest tree (eucalypt)
Locality Campbell Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Lindsay Hansch 28 January 2011 2 years ago 3.6
- No sound recordings available yet
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