There are creatures that seem like they belong to stories, creatures that look so magical it’s hard to believe they’re real. The kind of creatures that fly high in the sky, with wings so big they almost touch the clouds. They can breathe fire and have long, scaly bodies. Dragons. Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, there’s something in the world that looks like a dragon?
The Great Eared Nightjar is one of those birds. When you see it, you might stop and stare, because it’s not like any bird you’ve ever seen before. It’s small but strong, with little ears that make it look so special, furry wings that stretch out wide, and a tiny beak you can barely see. It’s not a bird you forget quickly.
This bird, called Lyncornis Macrotis, lives in Southeast Asia. It likes to hide in the forests, mostly near rivers, where it hunts for insects. And just like dragons that live in the sky, the nightjar lives in its own special world, awake when others are asleep.
What’s even more amazing is how much the nightjar loves its egg. When it’s time for the bird to lay its egg, both the mother and father take care of it together, keeping it safe and warm. It’s like they’re sharing the love, making sure their little egg will grow up to be as strong as they are. And when the egg is on the ground, it blends in so well with the forest floor that it’s nearly invisible, protecting it from anyone who might want to harm it.
If you ever hear the nightjar’s call, consider yourself lucky. It’s a sound that will stay with you, like a sweet memory you never want to forget.
The world is full of creatures that we don’t always see or understand. The Great Eared Nightjar might not look exactly like the dragons from the stories, but it’s as close as we might ever come to a real one. And that’s pretty magical.
