Australia has 3 Nightjar species with all being recorded from the Mission Beach environment. The most common of these is the Large-tailed Nightjar, a bird with a distinctive call resembling the chopping of wood. Indeed early pioneers named this the Axebird!
Unlike their ground feeding relations, the Frogmouths, Nightjars feed on the wing and also build no nest whatsoever, relying instead on their cryptically camouflaged eggs to deceive would be predators. By day the birds usually roost on the ground and are hard to see amongst rocks or leaf litter.
Nightjars call at dusk and so listen for the clear ‘chop-chop-chop’ call and follow the direction of the sound. Bicton Hill track is an excellent place to find these elusive nocturnal birds.
Good luck and good birding
Adrian Walker aka Professor Birdbrain
Adrian’s book – Birds of Mission Beach and environs is available through the Mission Beach Visitor Centre at $5.00 plus postage. To purchase call on 07 4068 7099 or email enquiry@missionbeachtourism.com
