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European Nightjar
©
© Arto Juvonen
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

European Nightjar

The European Nightjar is a discreet twilight species that prefers sparse forests with little vegetation for nesting and extensive meadows for hunting moths. They use complementary habitats, sometimes several kilometres apart, for nesting and hunting. Since the second half of the 20th century, the number of Nightjars has declined considerably in Switzerland. Currently stable, numbers remain low with just over 50 known breeding birds in Switzerland. Their distribution has thus been restricted to forests whose climatic or soil conditions prevent dense woodland or where natural disasters have occurred.

Distribution and development

Schematic distribution
Verbreitung - European Nightjar
Schematic distribution during the breeding season (ochre), in winter time (dotted in blue) or during migration periods (dotted in vinaceous).
Breeding bird index
The graph shows the relative evolution of the breeding population in Switzerland (100 = mean value). Example: A value of 130 means that the population in the corresponding year was 30% above the mean value of the entire period considered.
Distribution and prevalence in Switzerland
  • The main stronghold of the species is in Valais, more specifically on the south-facing slopes between Sion and Brig. with around 35 territories.
  • Ticino and Graubünden are also home to a few territories.
Development in Switzerland
  • Significant decrease since the 1950s, followed by stabilisation.
  • Forest densification and the loss of grasslands accounted for most of the decline.
  • The species persists in naturally open sites with little ground vegetation.
International
  • The species breeds in habitats ranging from the Mediterranean region through steppes to European sub-boreal areas and the Maghreb to Mongolia.
  • The species is generally declining in Central Europe, but is increasing locally.

Habitat and food

©
© Jean-Nicolas Pradervand

Favourable habitat with lots of dead wood and low herbaceous cover.

©
© Jean-Nicolas Pradervand

The Nightjar uses structurally rich areas consisting of sparse forests, extensive grasslands. and in some cases grassy vineyards.

©
© Jean-Nicolas Pradervand

Meadow used by the Nightjar for hunting, outside its nesting area.

©
© Jean-Nicolas Pradervand

Favourable habitat with lots of dead wood and low herbaceous cover.

©
© Jean-Nicolas Pradervand

The Nightjar uses structurally rich areas consisting of sparse forests, extensive grasslands. and in some cases grassy vineyards.

©
© Jean-Nicolas Pradervand

Meadow used by the Nightjar for hunting, outside its nesting area.

Habitat
Farmland
Vineyards, Meadows and pastures
Dry areas and rocks
Rocky steppes
Forests
Mixed forests, Forest edges
Food
Insects and spiders
Flying insects, Moths
Habitat and food requirements

The species lives in sparse forests with little ground vegetation up to 1,600 m. It requires complementary habitats for hunting: extensive meadows and vineyards or alpine meadows.

Feeding habitat

  • Hunts on nesting sites, but also uses extensive meadows rich in flying insects within a 1 to 2 km radius.

Nesting site

  • Nests on the ground, mainly in sparse forests with little ground vegetation.

Winter habitat

  • Long-distance migrant,
  • Winters south of the African tropical rainforest, in the savannahs.
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species

European Nightjar

The European Nightjar is a discreet twilight species that prefers sparse forests with little vegetation for nesting and extensive meadows for hunting moths. They use complementary habitats, sometimes several kilometres apart, for nesting and hunting. Since the second half of the 20th century, the number of Nightjars has declined considerably in Switzerland. Currently stable, numbers remain low with just over 50 known breeding birds in Switzerland. Their distribution has thus been restricted to forests whose climatic or soil conditions prevent dense woodland or where natural disasters have occurred.
Priority species at national level
The ‘responsibility’ factor describes the international significance of the Swiss population of a species. The allocation to responsibility classes was based primarily on geographical distribution (Switzerland, Europe or worldwide) and the genetic and/or ecological significance of Swiss populations.
  • Exclusive responsibility
  • Very high responsibility
  • High responsibility
  • Responsibility
  • Joint responsibility
  • Minimal joint responsibility
Operational level
The level at which measures should be taken for all national priority species is specified within the framework of specific 'species conservation' (SC), 'habitat conservation' (HC), or the biodiversity-friendly use of natural resources on the ""entire territory"" (ET) by all sectoral policies. Each species has been assigned to only one level. If measures at the 'entire territory' (ET) level are insufficient for the conservation and promotion of the species, measures at the second level, 'specific habitat conservation' (HC), are required. If this is also insufficient, specific 'species conservation' (SC) measures must also be applied. Therefore, a species requiring specific species conservation measures must also be given special consideration when implementing measures at the 'specific habitat conservation' and 'entire country area' levels.
  • SC species conservation
  • HC habitat conservation
  • NT national territory
SC
Urgency
An expert assessment was made of the urgency with which measures should be implemented, continued and/or newly planned for all species assigned to the specific 'species conservation' and 'habitat conservation' action levels. The two factors of endangerment and international responsibility were considered, as were the prospects of success.
  • Urgent
Circle
Circle
Circle
Population in Switzerland
(2025)
The population estimate indicates how many pairs bred during the specified period. As this number fluctuates from year to year and due to uncertainties in population surveys, a range is given. For some species that are difficult to survey, only displaying males are listed. The population estimates cannot be simply doubled to derive the number of individuals. The number of birds is much higher after the breeding season, some birds take years to reach reproductive maturity, and in some cases the sex ratio is not 1:1.
40-50pairs
Red List
Red lists are based on the scientific criteria of the IUCN and assess the risk of extinction of a species. This helps to identify where there is a particularly urgent need for action in nature conservation.
  • Endangered (EN)

Birds of Switzerland

European Nightjar To the species profile in the bird database

Project managers

Threats, activities and forecasts
Limiting factors and threats

The densification of the forest and the disappearance of insect-rich meadows have contributed massively to the decline of the species in Switzerland. This ground-nesting species also experiences significant disturbance in connection with recreational activities, or dogs not kept on a lead.

 
Breeding season
  • Nests on the ground, in an area with little herbaceous cover (it avoids dense vegetation cover), but rich in insects.
  • Disturbances, especially from dogs not kept on a leash, are risk factors for chicks and eggs.
 
Migration/ Winter
  • Winters in savannah regions, south of the African equatorial forests.
  • Loss of habitat, e.g. due to intensification of agriculture, deforestation and the clearing of the savannah.
  • Droughts and hunting during migration and in winter.
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Necessary activities
Monitoring
  • The species is difficult to count because of its movements between nesting and hunting sites.
  • The species is monitored in a targeted manner in Switzerland, but there is no national monitoring.
 
Conservation
  • Forestry measures have been undertaken to promote the species, but these must be coupled with grassland restoration.
  • Special emphasis should be placed on protecting nesting and hunting sites currently in use.
 
Research
  • GPS studies show complex habitat use that varies throughout the season.
  • The data collected in Valais make it possible to determine the precise use of the territory by birds and to implement conservation measures at these sites.
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Prospects for success and prognostics
  • The numbers seem to be stabilising in Switzerland. The increase between 2018 and 2020 corresponds in particular to the discovery of a new occupied site, which had previously gone unnoticed.
  • Periods of drought will generate new semi-open areas that may benefit the species.
  • The preservation of the nightjar, however, also requires the protection of insect-rich meadows.
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Conservation measures and stakeholders
Create patchy vegetation

Clear-cutting can be beneficial to the species. However, some creeping shrubs (< 20%) and some large trees should be retained. The site must also be maintained to limit herbaceous cover. These measures must also be located close to insect-rich meadows.

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Cantons
Forestry
Nature conservation
Parcs
Promote extensive grazing

Grazing, especially by goats, prevents vegetation from becoming too dense, which would hinder foraging and the establishment of suitable breeding sites.

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Cantons
Forestry
Municipalities
Nature conservation
Parcs
Create patchy vegetation

Habitats that were previously favourable but where plant succession is gradually taking over again. Areas without ground cover are becoming rare.

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Cantons
Forestry
Nature conservation
Parcs
Conservation projects Swiss Ornithological Institute
Species conservation
Species promotion – European Nightjar
vogelwarte.ch
Upswing for Birds
Pasture on the rocky steppe in the Pfyn-Finges nature park, VS
vogelwarte.ch
Upswing for Birds
Recovery of an open forest in Rénalo, TI
vogelwarte.ch
Conservation projects BirdLife
Bird conservation programmes in Ticino
birdlife.ch
Publications
Additional resources
Many specialist species in open woodland
vogelwarte.ch
©
© Arto Juvonen
Birds of Switzerland

European Nightjar

The European Nightjar roosts motionlessly during the day and relies on its camouflage. Its purring song is usually the only clue to its presence. In ancient times many stories grew up around the “Goatsucker”. The ancient Greeks used to call it “goathead” because it used to appear near barns at night. The myth circulated that it sucked milk from goats causing them to go blind....
To the species profile in the bird database

Synergies with other priority species

Woodlark

				

			

				

					

						

							 Conservation ProgrammeFor birds in switzerland
							Contact
						

						

							
The “Swiss species recovery programme for birds” is a partnership programme between the Swiss Ornithological Institute, BirdLife Switzerland and the FOEN. Together with the federal government, cantons, nature conservation organisations and other stakeholders, it implements targeted measures for priority bird species to ensure their survival.							

						

					


					

						

							
							
Swiss Ornithological Institute

							vogelwarte.ch
						

												

							
							
BirdLife Switzerland

							birdlife.ch
						


						

							
							
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN

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