Morwell National Park - Species - Aegotheles cristatus

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Item Details

Scientific Name :		Aegotheles cristatus

Common Name :		Australian owlet-nightjar

Description :		The smallest Australian nocturnal bird. Owl-like, in appearance, but its closest relatives are the nightjars and the Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides. Light brown or grey, with black markings on the face and crown of the head. Voice a variety of shrill churring sounds.

Habitat :		Mature woodland, with plenty of tree hollows.

Distribution :		Common all over Australia. Commonest in the dry interior and much less common in the wetter forests. Has been recorded on a spotlight walk in the Park, close to Lyndon's Clearing.

Family :		Aegothelidae

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