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Homescience

Meet the Great Eared Nightjar: Nature’s hidden baby dragon with a unique, haunting sound

Often called nature’s “baby dragon,” the Great Eared Nightjar is a rare nocturnal bird known for its dragon-like looks, eerie calls, and incredible camouflage in dense forest habitats.

Sheetal Kumari | August 03, 2025 / 08:02 IST
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Meet the 'Baby Dragon' Bird: The Great Eared Nightjar looks like a tiny dragon with long tufts, mottled feathers, and glowing eyes—earning its mystical nickname. (Image: @GreatLakesFungi/X)
Meet the 'Baby Dragon' Bird: The Great Eared Nightjar looks like a tiny dragon with long tufts, mottled feathers, and glowing eyes—earning its mystical nickname. (Image: @GreatLakesFungi/X)
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A Master of Camouflage: Its earthy-toned feathers blend perfectly with fallen leaves and twigs, making it nearly invisible during the day.(Image: @AMAZlNGNATURE/X)
A Master of Camouflage: Its earthy-toned feathers blend perfectly with fallen leaves and twigs, making it nearly invisible during the day.(Image: @AMAZlNGNATURE/X)
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The Largest Nightjar by Size: Measuring 31–41 cm, it’s the largest nightjar species by length and remains elusive in dense Asian forests. (Image: @AMAZlNGNATURE/X)
The Largest Nightjar by Size: Measuring 31–41 cm, it’s the largest nightjar species by length and remains elusive in dense Asian forests. (Image: @AMAZlNGNATURE/X)
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Where It Lives: Found across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, this nocturnal bird prefers lowland and montane forests with thick cover. (Image: @jiffystaypuffed/X)
Where It Lives: Found across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, this nocturnal bird prefers lowland and montane forests with thick cover. (Image: @jiffystaypuffed/X)
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A Nest Without a Nest: The bird lays a single egg on bare ground, using its camouflage to shield the nest from predators. (Image: @qinchengie/X)
A Nest Without a Nest: The bird lays a single egg on bare ground, using its camouflage to shield the nest from predators. (Image: @qinchengie/X)
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Hidden Parenting Rituals: Both parents take turns incubating the egg, while the chick stays still and hidden among leaves until it’s strong enough to fly. (Image: @Stardate325858/X)
Hidden Parenting Rituals: Both parents take turns incubating the egg, while the chick stays still and hidden among leaves until it’s strong enough to fly. (Image: @Stardate325858/X)
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Voice of the Night: Its haunting call—a sharp “tsiik” followed by a “ba-haaww”—echoes through forests at dusk and dawn. (Image: @arthurianmaiden/X)
Voice of the Night: Its haunting call—a sharp “tsiik” followed by a “ba-haaww”—echoes through forests at dusk and dawn. (Image: @arthurianmaiden/X)
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A Sweet Songbird Too: Surprisingly, the bird also produces gentle, melodic sounds, especially during calm twilight hours to charm mates. (Image: @arthurianmaiden/X)
A Sweet Songbird Too: Surprisingly, the bird also produces gentle, melodic sounds, especially during calm twilight hours to charm mates.
(Image: @arthurianmaiden/X)
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The Secret Is in the Syrinx: Its vocal organ, the syrinx, allows the nightjar to produce complex sounds and communicate across the dense forest. (Image: @DrWildlife/X/Luku Ranjan Nath)
The Secret Is in the Syrinx: Its vocal organ, the syrinx, allows the nightjar to produce complex sounds and communicate across the dense forest. (Image: @DrWildlife/X/Luku Ranjan Nath)

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