White-throated Nightjar

1. Large white patches on either side of the throat, visible even in poor light

2. Lacks white wing and tail patches seen in other Australian nightjars

3. Listen for a unique, bubbling song that rises in pitch, often likened to a burst of laughter or a series of ascending, accelerating notes

White-throated Nightjars feed primarily on flying insects such as moths, beetles, and ants, caught during agile aerial pursuits after dark. They breed from September to February (mainly October–December), with males performing courtship displays involving wing-raising and aerial chases. Females lay a single egg directly on bare ground or leaf litter, typically on a stony ridge or hilltop, with both parents sharing incubation duties. Incubation lasts 23–33 days, and chicks are mobile soon after hatching, fledging at about 3 days. If threatened, adults perform distraction displays, spreading their wings and walking awkwardly on their short legs.

White-throated Nightjars are found along the eastern seaboard of Australia, from coastal Queensland through New South Wales and into Victoria. They inhabit forests, particularly eucalypt and dry sclerophyll forests with sparse understorey, and may also be found at forest edges, in open grassy country, or near mangroves in northern Queensland. Southern populations migrate north during winter, while some northern birds remain year-round. They are most active at dusk and dawn, often seen hawking for insects over water or forest clearings.