Great Eared Nightjar: The Rare Bird Dubbed as a ‘Baby Dragon

Rapid Summary

• Species: Great-eared nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis),nicknamed “baby dragon.”
• Habitat: Dense, low-lying woodlands of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and others.
• Appearance: Large forward-facing eyes with head tufts resembling ears; mottled brown-gray-black plumage for camouflage.
• Behavior:

– Nocturnal bird; remains motionless on forest floor during the day to avoid predators.
– Does not build customary nests-lays a single egg directly on the ground or shallow leaf beds. Both parents incubate eggs and feed chicks until independence.
– silent flight aids hunting of moths and insects during twilight hours using its wide mouth.
– Known for haunting calls used for breeding purposes (territory marking or mate attraction).

Image:
!Great-eared nightjar

Watch Nightjar Call

Indian Opinion Analysis

the great-eared nightjar showcases the rich biodiversity of India’s woodland ecosystem. Its unique adaptation to lay eggs directly on the forest floor highlights an ecological reliance on camouflage rather than traditional nesting practices-a trait that coudl offer insights into evolutionary behavior in densely vegetated habitats. Given India’s diverse fauna population coexisting in similar environments, the bird exemplifies nature’s intricate protective strategies against predation.

While its haunting call contributes to its nickname as a “baby dragon,” this species also underscores India’s role as a haven for rare nocturnal birds across South Asia. Protecting such elusive creatures may require targeted efforts toward habitat preservation as their populations frequently enough depend heavily on undisturbed ecosystems.

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