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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

A Sweet Songbird Too: Surprisingly, the bird also produces gentle, melodic sounds, especially during calm twilight hours to charm mates.
(Image: @arthurianmaiden/X)

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)