Introduction
The Great Eared Nightjar, Lyncornis macrotis, is a large nocturnal bird in the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae. It is recognised by its prominent ear-like feather tufts, cryptic brown plumage and distinctive calls. The species occurs across parts of South and Southeast Asia, where it inhabits forests, forest edges and other wooded landscapes. It was formerly placed in the genus Eurostopodus, but molecular and taxonomic studies support its current placement in Lyncornis.
Physical Description
The Great Eared Nightjar is a large nightjar, generally measuring about 31–41 cm in length. It has a broad, short bill, large dark eyes, pointed wings and a relatively long tail. Two elongated feather tufts on the crown resemble ears, although they are not auditory organs.
The plumage is a complex mixture of grey-brown, dark brown, blackish and buff markings. Fine streaking, mottling and barring break up the bird’s outline against bark, leaf litter and shaded ground. A broad buff or tawny collar may be visible around the hindneck, while the throat and underparts are generally buffish with darker markings. Individuals typically lack the obvious white wing and tail patches seen in some other nightjars.
The species shows geographic variation. Five subspecies are currently recognised in major taxonomic treatments, and populations differ in plumage, size, distribution and vocal characteristics. Research on the Lyncornis macrotis complex indicates that morphology, vocalisations and genetic evidence do not always produce identical groupings, so subspecific boundaries remain an area of scientific interest.
Range and Habitat
The Great Eared Nightjar has a broad but discontinuous distribution from South Asia through mainland Southeast Asia and into the Philippines and Sulawesi region. Its recorded range includes parts of India, Bangladesh, southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Some records also extend to Sri Lanka, although regional occurrence may be localised and irregular.
It is associated mainly with moist lowland and foothill forests, including subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, secondary woodland and forest edges. It may also forage over clearings, scrub, grassland and lightly wooded fields near forest. Records are generally concentrated at low to moderate elevations, although the species can occur in upland and montane foothill habitats in parts of its range.
The Great Eared Nightjar is not regarded as a long-distance migrant. Local movements may occur in response to seasonal conditions and food availability, but detailed information on movements is limited. Geographic variation is pronounced enough that populations from India, mainland Southeast Asia, Simeulue, the Philippines and Sulawesi are treated as separate subspecies in current taxonomic accounts.
Behaviour and Diet
The Great Eared Nightjar is crepuscular and nocturnal. It is usually encountered alone or in pairs, resting quietly during the day on a branch, among vegetation or on the forest floor. Its cryptic plumage and still posture make it difficult to detect in daylight.
It feeds mainly on flying insects, including moths, beetles, bugs, termites and other aerial invertebrates. Foraging takes place in open areas near woodland, above forest edges or over clearings. The bird’s flight is buoyant and deliberate, with agile changes of direction as it pursues prey in the air.
Its territorial song or advertising call is typically given around dusk and dawn, although calling may continue during the night and into the early morning. The vocalisation consists of a short introductory note followed by a strongly modulated second note. Calls are often delivered in flight and are important for territory defence and mate attraction.
Breeding information is incomplete and varies between regions. The species does not construct a conventional nest. Instead, the female usually lays a single well-camouflaged egg directly on bare ground or among leaf litter, often in lightly wooded habitat, bamboo or beneath dense vegetation. The chick is cryptically coloured and can remain difficult to detect after hatching. Details of incubation, parental roles and chick development are not fully documented across the species’ range.
Identification Tips
Look for the following combination of features:
- A large, long-tailed nightjar with an overall length of approximately 31–41 cm.
- Prominent elongated crown feathers that give the head an ear-tufted appearance.
- Complex grey-brown, buff and blackish plumage that blends into bark and leaf litter.
- A broad buff or tawny hindneck collar in many individuals.
- Large dark eyes and a broad gape.
- A relatively slow, deliberate flight compared with smaller, more erratic eared nightjars.
- A loud, distinctive two-part call, often heard at dusk or dawn.
The Malaysian Eared Nightjar, Lyncornis temminckii, is a genuine potential confusion species where their ranges overlap. It is generally smaller and darker, with a shorter wing and a more rapid, erratic flight. The Great Eared Nightjar’s larger size, prominent ear tufts, longer-tailed appearance and more deliberate flight are useful field characters, although vocalisations and habitat should also be considered.
Conservation Status
The Great Eared Nightjar is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This global category reflects its broad distribution and does not mean that all populations are secure. The overall population size and population trend are not well quantified.
The principal potential threats are the loss, degradation and fragmentation of forest habitat caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, infrastructure development and urban growth. Because the species depends on suitable forest and open foraging areas, changes to both breeding sites and nearby feeding habitat may affect local populations. Protection of remaining forest, maintenance of habitat mosaics and further surveys of poorly known populations are important conservation measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Great Eared Nightjar live?
It occurs across parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, southern China, mainland Southeast Asia, the Philippines and the Sulawesi region. It is mainly associated with moist forests, forest edges, foothills and nearby clearings.
Is the Great Eared Nightjar nocturnal?
Yes. It is most active at dusk, during the night and around dawn. It commonly rests during the day, relying on its mottled plumage and still posture for concealment.
What does the Great Eared Nightjar eat?
Its diet consists mainly of flying insects, including moths, beetles, bugs, termites and other aerial invertebrates. It catches prey in flight over forest edges, clearings and other open areas.
Does the Great Eared Nightjar build a nest?
No. Like other nightjars, it does not normally build a conventional nest. The female usually lays a single camouflaged egg directly on the ground or among leaf litter and low vegetation.
Why does the Great Eared Nightjar have ear tufts?
The apparent ears are elongated crown feathers, not ears. Their precise function is uncertain, but they contribute to the species’ distinctive outline and may help with camouflage or visual signalling.
Is the Great Eared Nightjar endangered?
It is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Nevertheless, habitat loss and fragmentation may threaten local populations, and important aspects of its distribution, population trend and breeding biology remain poorly documented.
References
- BirdLife International. 2016. Lyncornis macrotis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22689690A93242897. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22689690A93242897.en. Accessed 8 September 2026.
- Cleere, N. 2020. Great Eared-Nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World, edited by J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie and E. de Juana. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.grenig1.01. Accessed 8 September 2026.
- Gill, F., D. Donsker and P. Rasmussen, eds. 2026. IOC World Bird List, version 15.2. International Ornithologists’ Union. https://www.worldbirdnames.org/. Accessed 8 September 2026.
- Han, K.-L., M. B. Robbins and M. J. Braun. 2010. A multi-gene estimate of phylogeny in the nightjars and nighthawks (Caprimulgidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55(2): 443–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2010.01.023.
- Sangster, G., B. King, M. Irestedt and P. G. P. Ericson. 2022. Integrative taxonomy of eared nightjars (Aves: Lyncornis) underscores the complementarity of morphology, vocalisations and DNA evidence. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196(4): 1464–1484. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac037.
- Strijk, J. S. n.d. Description of the nest and nestling of Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis from Luzon, Philippines. Forktail. Publication details were not available in the consulted authoritative records.
- Bangladesh Forest Department. 2015. Red List of Bangladesh: Birds, Volume 3. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh. https://sufal.bforest.gov.bd/redlist/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Volume-3-Birds-Full-Book.pdf. Accessed 8 September 2026.
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