Nightjar

The nightjar is a bird in the nightjar family and has no relation to the more common swallow species.

It's old name is the goatsucker, as farmers once believed this bird suckled goats at night. Its broad beak only served to perpetuate this myth. In reality, the beak is used for catching its night-time prey, such as moths.

The mature nightjar has a grey-and-brown plumage. The white markings on its wings and tail are characteristic of males.

The nightjar is active at dusk. After sunset, the birds can be heard making a distinctive churring song from their perch in the trees. During the day, the nightjar rests on the ground, trusting its camouflage feathers to keep it safe. This makes it virtually impossible to spot.

The nightjar, which breeds in heaths and semi-forested areas, winters in Africa and sometimes in South Africa. In the park, the nightjar lives in the half-open pine forests and heaths.