Nightjars and Their Relatives

The birds of the order of Caprimulgiformes are brown, buff, gray, black, or any combination of those colors. They have soft plumage and feed primarily at night or at dawn and dusk. Most species obtain their food on the wing. The smaller families include frogmouths, potoos, owlet-nightjars, and oilbirds. The major family within the order, Caprimulgidae, has some 79 species in all, including nighthawks, hightjars, and Whip-poor-wills. These birds live in most temperate and tropical areas of the world. The cryptic plumage patterns and nocturnal habits of the members of this order is reminiscent of those of owls, though there appears to be no close relationship between these two groups.

Oilbirds are unique within the oder in that they feed on fruits, especially palm fruits. These birds roost in caves and navigate the darkness by using a form of sonar.