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Description

The definitive guide to nightjars, a beautiful and charismatic nocturnal group.

Usually appearing in the fading light of dusk and vanishing again before sunrise, nightjars are a charismatic group of predominantly nocturnal birds. While some species have developed spectacular tails and wing adornments, the majority are fairly uniform in appearance; subtle browns, oranges and greys make them masters of camouflage among the leaf-litter where they generally nest and roost in the daytime, with these colour schemes providing birders with a stern identification challenge in the field.

The culmination of more than 50 years of study by the world's leading expert on these birds, Nigel Cleere, Nightjars of the World features detailed text covering their taxonomy, physiology, plumage and moult, foraging, migration and breeding biology. The species accounts are accompanied by accurate distribution maps, and a comprehensive photographic selection encompasses as much subspecific, sexual and age-related variation as possible. A series of illustrated plates by Dave Nurney depicts every species in exceptional detail.

Meticulously researched, this book represents the ultimate resource on nightjars and their relationships, appearance, identification and biology, bringing these beautiful night-birds out of the dark and into the spotlight.

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Product details

Published 26 Feb 2026
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Pages 512
ISBN 9781472933317
Imprint Helm
Illustrations 36 plates, c. 500 photos
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Nigel Cleere

Nigel Cleere has been fascinated by nightjars for…

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