Australian Owlet-nightjar

Tree Schwalm ( Aegotheles cristatus)

The tree Schwalm ( Aegotheles cristatus) is a nocturnal bird of the family of the Schwalm -like. He comes across Australia and southern New Guinea before in open woodland. It is the most common type of cave Schwalme and the best known representative of this secretly living family. In Australia it is common and despite a decline due to the competition of imported species, he is in his inventory as not at risk.

Description

The tree Schwalm is a small to medium-sized cave swarm with a gray body top and a white striped chest. The face has a distinctive dark and light patterns. In northern Australia also reddish colored females occur. There, the plumage is overall somewhat paler than the populations that live in deserts. The wings run out of pointed and feet are unusually large for a representative of this family. The species is adaptable and comes in light forests and mangrove swamps and grasslands as well as in front of dense forest areas.

The tree Schwalm eats mainly insects, which it catches by waiting. Occasionally, he also catches insects in flight. During the day it rests mostly in tree hollows. It breeds in caves and is mostly dependent on tree hollows. These are designed by both parents birds with leaves. Preferably they use for eucalyptus leaves. Perhaps this helps to keep the number of parasites low. The nest consists of three to four eggs. It breeds only the female parent bird. The incubation period is less than a month. The nestlings are fed by both parents birds.