The European Nightjar, or just Nightjar, occurs throughout northern and central Europe as well as temperate Asia and winters in Africa, as far south as the Cape.
It inhabits open heathy wastes, Lowland heath, bracken-covered slopes and open woods. The Nightjar is a crepuscular animal, meaning it is primarily active during twilight, that is at dawn and at dusk.
Caprimulgus europaeus is 26cm in length with a wingspan of 55cm. It makes no nest for breeding but rather, occupies unvegetated gaps.
The European Nightjar has a soft call when on the wing and a sharper and repeated alarm, cuick cuick. During courtship, and occasionally at other times, it uses a mechanical signal, a sharp cracking sound, caused by clapping the wings together over the back.
The Nightjar's song is a strange soft churring trill which rises and falls as it vibrates on the variable evening breeze, or as the bird turns its head from side to side.
These birds have numerous old names such as "Flying toad", "Nighthawk", "Moth-owl" and "Goatsucker". The European Nightjar makes many appearances in old poetic literature. See: http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/sir-henry-newbolt/the-nightjar/
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