Common name: Egyptian Nightjar
Scientific name: Caprimulgus aegyptius
Family: Caprimulgidae

Size:
Body length: 24–28 cm
Wingspan: 50–60 cm
Weight: 70–100 g

Identification:
A medium-sized nightjar with cryptic sandy-grey plumage finely patterned with darker streaks and mottling, providing excellent camouflage against desert ground. It has a flat head, large dark eyes, and a very small bill surrounded by long bristles that help capture insects in flight. In flight, it appears silent and buoyant, with long wings and a soft, moth-like movement.

Habitat:
Deserts, gravel plains, coastal flats, and semi-arid open landscapes. Often associated with open ground and sparse vegetation.

Status in the UAE:
Common resident. Widely distributed in suitable desert and coastal habitats.

Diet:
Insectivorous — feeds on flying insects such as moths, beetles, and other nocturnal invertebrates.

Behavior:
Nocturnal and highly elusive. Rests on the ground during the day, relying on camouflage. Becomes active at dusk, flying low and silently while hunting. Often detected by its soft calls or by eye-shine in headlights at night. Nests directly on the ground without building a nest.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)