Scientific Name:
Caprimulgus europaeus
Maltese Name: Buqrajq
Family: Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Occurence: Regular
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
A mysterious bird which is active at dusk and dawn. It has a spotted brown grey body with a small head and tiny bill. Its tail is quite long. The Male has white spots on the wingtips while the females do not have. The Male is also bigger. The Nightjar feeds at night mainly insects and moths during flight. It spends the day hiding with its camouflaged plumage on the ground or still in a tree. The nightjar has a very distinctive and mechanical call gooik with a prolonged churrrr. Its call is very unique and a pleasure to hear. It has extremely agile light maneuvering with twists and turns. Nightjars migrate to Africa for the winter and come back to Europe to breed during Spring-Summer. It lays 2 eggs on bare ground and they hatch after 18 days. It can leave up to 10 years. Unfortunately the Nightjar is declining throughout Europe.
Status:
Regular migrant seen in Autumn and Spring. Mainly seen hunting in singles.
When to See:
Mid-September till end of October and April-May.
Where to See:
2 of the best sites to see this bird are Buskett and Comino. Other places include areas that are undisturbed with open area and some woodland. Occasionally flushed while walking.
Photographs:
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Maltese Name: Buqrajq
Family: Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Occurence: Regular
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
A mysterious bird which is active at dusk and dawn. It has a spotted brown grey body with a small head and tiny bill. Its tail is quite long. The Male has white spots on the wingtips while the females do not have. The Male is also bigger. The Nightjar feeds at night mainly insects and moths during flight. It spends the day hiding with its camouflaged plumage on the ground or still in a tree. The nightjar has a very distinctive and mechanical call gooik with a prolonged churrrr. Its call is very unique and a pleasure to hear. It has extremely agile light maneuvering with twists and turns. Nightjars migrate to Africa for the winter and come back to Europe to breed during Spring-Summer. It lays 2 eggs on bare ground and they hatch after 18 days. It can leave up to 10 years. Unfortunately the Nightjar is declining throughout Europe.
Status:
Regular migrant seen in Autumn and Spring. Mainly seen hunting in singles.
When to See:
Mid-September till end of October and April-May.
Where to See:
2 of the best sites to see this bird are Buskett and Comino. Other places include areas that are undisturbed with open area and some woodland. Occasionally flushed while walking.
Photographs:
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Nightjar, Comino |
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| Nightjar, Comino | Female Nightjar in flight at night, Buskett |
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| Close-up of the Nightjar's wide mouth, perfectly adapted for catching insects | Nightjar, Comino |
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Nightjar Male in Flight, Buskett |
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