The family Aegothelidae contains the Owlet Nightjars. Most are native to New Guinea, but some species extend to Australia, the Moluccas, and New Caledonia. They hunt mostly in the air, and are of dull color. The Owlet Nightjars are all contained in one genus.
Their closest relatives are Nightjars of family Caprimulgidae and Frogmouths of Family Podargidae. However they are not closely related and are even place in different orders.
Genus Aegotheles
Nightjar,_Archbold's_Owlet- Aegotheles archboldi Found: New Guinea
The Archbold's Owlet-Nightjar is found in the West Papua part of New Guinea.
Image by: 1) Katerina_Tvardikova 2) hbw.com
Nightjar,_Australian Owlet- Aegotheles cristatus Found: Australia
The Australian Owlet has gray upperparts, white barred front, and a distinct dark and pale patterning on the head.
Image by: 1) birdsaspoetry 2)
David Cook - New South Wales 3) Brian_McCauley
Nightjar,_Barred Owlet- Aegotheles bennettii Found: New Guinea
The Barred Owlet-Nightjar has dark brown upperparts; grayish-white supercilium; whitish to buff hind-collar; pale grayish underparts with spots and barring.
Image by: 1) Katerina_Tvardikova 2) Jerry_Oldenettel 3) Mark A Harper
Nightjar,_Feline Owlet- Aegotheles insignis Found: New Guinea
The Feline Owlet-Nightjar has mainly brown or rufous plumage; white spots on underparts.
Image by: 1) John Gerrard Keulemans 2) Nigel_Voaden
Nightjar,_Moluccan_Owlet- Aegotheles crinifrons Found: Northern Moluccas
Image by: 1) Francesco_Veronesi
Nightjar,_Mountain Owlet- Aegotheles albertisi Found: New Guinea
The Mountain Owlet-Nightjar is variable and virtually indistinguishable. Voice: Call consist of 3 mournful whistles, each of them downslurred or at constant pitch. Series of squeaky "kee-kee" notes also described.
Image by: 1) Katerina_Tvardikova 2) Mark A Harper
Nightjar,_New Caldonian Owlet- Aegotheles savesi Found: New Caldonia (near Australia)
The New Caldonian Owlet-Nightjar has grayish-brown plumage with black head, wings. Very rare.
Image by: 1) Joseph Smit
Nightjar,_Starry_Owlet- Aegotheles tatei Found: New Guinea
Image by: 1) Jon_Hornbuckle
Nightjar,_Vogelkop Owlet- Found: New Guinea
Image by: 1) John Gerrard Keulemans
Nightjar,_Wallace's_Owlet- Aegotheles wallacii Found: New Guinea
Image by: 1) Katerina_Tvardikova 2) Ashley_Banwell
