the great-eared nightjar is one of the largest nightjar species, found in southwestern india along with other portions of southern asia. they are discerned by their large, barred wings, small white throat patch, and pointed ‘ear’-shaped tufts. they prefer tropical and subtropical forest habitats. like other nightjars, they are active at dusk & night. they make an incredibly simple nest - a scrape on the ground - where they incubate a single egg per clutch. they feed almost entirely on insects caught in flight, primarily moths and beetles.
this has always fascinated me. I first learned it about 25 years ago, and ever since, every time I see a capital letter A a tiny voice inside me goes “bull!”
Fun to see an actual scholarly version of this, because I first read it as explained (-ish) by one of Kipling’s “Just So Stories” a very, very long time ago…
I always liked this poster to represent the changes…
