Wallace's owlet-nightjar is a species of bird in the family Aegothelidae. It is found in New Guinea.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs in forested habitats across parts of New Guinea, primarily in lowland and hill rainforests. It frequents dense understory, forest edges, and secondary growth where cover is plentiful. Birds typically roost in tree holes, vine tangles, or dense vegetation by day, emerging at dusk to forage. It avoids extensive open country but may use small clearings and stream margins within forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named after Alfred Russel Wallace, this elusive nocturnal bird belongs to the owlet-nightjar family Aegothelidae. It roosts by day in tree cavities or dense foliage and becomes active at dusk to hunt flying insects. Its cryptic, mottled plumage provides excellent camouflage against bark and leaf litter. Like other owlet-nightjars, it has prominent facial bristles that help detect prey in low light.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, low-level dashes
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs. Roosts by day in cavities or dense cover and becomes active around dusk. Nesting is presumed in natural tree holes, with pairs likely forming during the breeding season to defend a small territory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are given mostly at night and include soft, repetitive whistles and trills. Calls may accelerate or descend in pitch and can be hard to locate due to ventriloquial qualities.
Plumage
Finely mottled and barred brown, grey, and rufous with cryptic patterning that blends with bark and leaf litter.
Diet
Feeds mainly on nocturnal insects such as moths, beetles, and other flying arthropods. Hunts by sallying from low to mid-level perches and may also glean prey from foliage or trunks. The wide gape and tactile facial bristles aid in capturing prey in low light.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, gaps, and along streams or trails where insects concentrate. Often hunts under the canopy or along the understory where cover is available.
