Malaysian Eared Nightjar

Overview

The Malaysian eared nightjar (Lyncornis temminckii) is a nocturnal insectivorous bird belonging to the family Caprimulgidae. It is primarily distributed throughout Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. The species is characterised by cryptic brown and white plumage and distinctive 'ear-tufts' that give it an eared appearance.

Identification

• Medium-sized nightjar measuring 25-28 cm in length, featuring a long wingspan and a long tail.
• Cryptic plumage with deep patterns of browns, blacks, and greys, accented by white speckles on the wings and a white throat patch.
• Distinctive hair-like 'ear-tufts' at the rear of the crown that stand up when the bird is erect but lie flat when crouching.
• Commonly produces a whistled 'tut-wee-ow' call in flight, accompanied by hoots and churring noises.

Habitat

Prefers subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, forest edges, and dense rainforests, ranging from sea level to 1,065 meters. Its distribution spans Southeast Asia, with notable populations in Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and Indonesia, and it has adapted to both pristine and human-altered environments. It has been recorded in grasslands, swamplands, and forests with tall hardwood trees.

Diet

Feeds primarily on flying insects such as beetles and moths, but also consumes ground-dwelling, aquatic, and arboreal insects. It forages over waterbodies like streams and utilises forest clearings, demonstrating an ability to exploit flying insects in high-humidity climates without relying exclusively on aquatic resources.

Did you know?

In Sumatra, the species breeds during the harsh monsoon season between October and November, an unusual timing likely chosen to exploit the flush of insect populations generated by the rains.