Region

Southwest Pacific

Typical Environment

Endemic to New Caledonia, it is believed to inhabit dry sclerophyll forests, maquis shrublands, and edges of humid forest. The species likely favors areas with open understory, leaf-littered ground, and scattered clearings for foraging. It probably uses forest tracks, coastal woodland, and ecotones between dense forest and open areas at night. Daytime roosts are on the ground or low horizontal branches where its mottled plumage provides excellent concealment.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 800 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Temperament

solitary and secretive

Flight Pattern

buoyant, silent flight with short rapid wingbeats interspersed with glides

Social Behavior

Typically encountered singly or in pairs during the breeding season. Like other nightjars, it likely nests on the ground, laying a single egg directly on leaf litter. Adults rely on stillness and camouflage to avoid detection, flushing only at very close range.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Presumed to give repetitive churring or whistled phrases at night, similar to related eared nightjars. Calls are likely soft but carry in still air, with territorial songs delivered from the ground or low perches.

Diet

Feeds on flying insects such as moths, beetles, and other nocturnal arthropods. It hawks prey on the wing and may also sally from low perches over open patches. The wide gape and rictal bristles help funnel insects into the mouth during aerial foraging.

Preferred Environment

Forages along forest edges, clearings, tracks, and over shrubland where flying insects concentrate. May also hunt near water bodies or along ecotones that provide open airspace.