Order Caprimulgiformes | Nightjars, Frogmouths, & Oilbirds

The classification of the various birds in this order Caprimulgiformes has been controversial and complicated over the years, especially for the nightjars.

Table of Contents

Caprimulgiformes Pronounciation
Caprimulgiformes Characteristics
Caprimulgiformes Aves / Species

According to the ITIS database, the Caprimulgiformes order has two direct families, but nightjars family (Caprimulgidae) is the largest one. The bird order Caprimulgiformes contains nightjars, frogmouths, and oilbirds. These birds are distributed all over the world except Antarctica.The two families of this order are Podargidae (Frogmouths) and Caprimulgidae (nightjars). There are about 114 Caprimulgiformes species in this bird order.

Caprimulgiformes Pronounciation

Caprimulgiformes Characteristics

All of the birds in the order share several features:

Nightjars

As the name suggests, nightjars and their relatives are usually active at twilight or night.
Caprimugiformes have large heads with large eyes.
The bills of these birds can open very wide-this feature is called wide gape.
The birds in the order are mainly nocturnal, so they have a simple coloring. The feathers are usually black, brown, grey, and sometimes brownish-yellow or red.
Some species may also have patterns on their bodies.
Most of the birds in the order are relatively small, from 6 to 16 inches, and are also of low weight.
The wings and tails of Caprimulgiformes birds are long.
Another prominent feature of this order is the presence of a serrated claw on the middle toe. The serration often resembles the teeth of a comb.
These birds mainly feed on insects; some catch them in the air, while others find them in the ground.
The nesting habits vary from species to species. While some birds do not make any nest whatsoever, others build a nest on trees on a nest in caves.
Both parents feed the chicks that develop for approximately 20 days.
These birds are known for their well-developed voices; their sounds can often be heard at night and are sometimes subject to legend.
The birds of this order can be found around the world, except in some islands and Antarctica.

Caprimulgiformes Aves / Species

Here are some typical representatives of this order:

nightjars

Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis
Wallace’s owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles wallacii
Mountain owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles albertisi
Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides
Gould’s frogmouth, Batrachostomus stellatus
Solomon’s frogmouth, Rigidipenna inexpectata
Rufus potoo, Nyctibius bracteatus
Andean Potoo, Nyctibius maculosus
Common nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Pennant-winged nightjar, Semeiophorus vexillarius
Great-eared nightjar, Lyncornis macrotis
Puerto Rican nightjar, Antrostomus noctitherus

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BioExplorer.net. (2024, November 20). Order Caprimulgiformes / Nightjars, Frogmouths, & Oilbirds. Bio Explorer. https://www.bioexplorer.net/order-caprimulgiformes/.

BioExplorer.net. "Order Caprimulgiformes / Nightjars, Frogmouths, & Oilbirds" Bio Explorer, 20 November 2024, https://www.bioexplorer.net/order-caprimulgiformes/.

BioExplorer.net. "Order Caprimulgiformes / Nightjars, Frogmouths, & Oilbirds" Bio Explorer, November 20 2024. https://www.bioexplorer.net/order-caprimulgiformes/.

Key References

[1] – “ITIS Standard Report Page: Caprimulgiformes”. Accessed May 30, 2019. Link.
[2] – “Nightjars: Caprimulgiformes – Physical Characteristics – Birds, Family, Wings, and Species – JRank Articles”. Accessed May 30, 2019. Link.