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European Nightjar; Chotacabras gris

Caprimulgus europaeus

Description:

Crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family. Summer migrant to Europe, taking advantage of an abundance of moths, the nightjars spend the day motionless and emerge at dusk to feed. These remarkably agile, light-weight fliers have large wings and tail. Their strange songs help to identify them. Nightjars occupy open heathland or lightly wooded places with wide clearings, often flying around bush tops and trees to catch moths in flight. They may approach people at dusk, as if curious about intruders in their territory.

Habitat:

Open pine tree forest. Parque Nacional de Sierra de Guadarrama

Notes:

The Latin generic name refers to the old myth that the nocturnal nightjar suckled goats, causing them to cease to give milk.

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arlanda
Spotted by
arlanda

Comunidad de Madrid, Spain

Spotted on Jun 29, 2016
Submitted on Dec 15, 2016

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