Jerdon's nightjar is a medium-sized nightjar species native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Formerly considered as a subspecies of the long-tailed nightjar, it is best recognized by its distinctive call which sounds like a wooden plank being beaten periodically with each note ending in a quaver. The common name commemorates Thomas C. Jerdon who described the species.
Region
South Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs in southern India and Sri Lanka in dry to moist woodland, scrub, and edges of deciduous forests. It frequents plantations, thorn scrub, riverine edges, and open clearings within forests. Often found near villages and agricultural mosaics where flying insects are abundant at dusk. It prefers broken cover where it can sally for prey along open tracks and clearings while retaining nearby concealment.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A cryptic, nocturnal nightjar of southern India and Sri Lanka, it often becomes most conspicuous by voice, a rhythmic, wooden knock-like series with each note ending in a slight quaver. By day it roosts on leaf litter or bare ground, relying on mottled plumage for camouflage. It typically nests on the ground without a constructed nest, laying eggs directly on soil or leaf litter.
C. a. aequabilisSri Lanka
Temperament
nocturnal and secretive
Flight Pattern
buoyant with short rapid wingbeats and sudden glides
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs; roosts on the ground or on low branches by day. Nests are simple ground scrapes with 1–2 eggs, relying on camouflage rather than nest structure. Males perform display flights and vocalizations at dusk and during moonlit nights.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A repetitive series of wooden, percussive tok notes, each finishing with a slight quaver, delivered at steady intervals. Also gives soft churrs and chuck calls during displays, and wing-claps may accompany vocalizations.
Plumage
Finely mottled brown, grey, and rufous with intricate bars and speckling; soft, loose-textured feathers enhance camouflage against leaf litter.
Diet
Feeds predominantly on flying insects such as moths, beetles, termites, and other nocturnal arthropods. It hawks insects in flight using a wide gape and rictal bristles to funnel prey. Forages low over paths, edges, and clearings and may also sally from the ground or a low perch. Often exploits insects attracted to artificial lights.
Preferred Environment
Forest edges, scrublands, plantations, and open patches within dry or moist deciduous forest. Common along tracks and near watercourses where insect activity is concentrated.
