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An Egyptian nightjar and chick resting among pale stones and dry ground, with mottled grey-brown plumage.
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Camouflage / Natural adaptation

Nightjar — A Broken Outline on the Ground

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Mottled feathers make the boundary between bird and ground difficult to follow.

TRY THIS

Locate the head on the right, then trace the bird’s back towards the left. Step away and see which parts of the outline become hardest to separate from the ground.

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THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

"K K"

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Frequently asked questions

What is Nightjar — A Broken Outline on the Ground?

Mottled feathers make the boundary between bird and ground difficult to follow.

What should I look for in Nightjar — A Broken Outline on the Ground?

Locate the head on the right, then trace the bird’s back towards the left. Step away and see which parts of the outline become hardest to separate from the ground.

What explains Nightjar — A Broken Outline on the Ground?

Small markings repeat the ground’s texture, while contrasting patches can interrupt the apparent body edge. The combination helps conceal an outline that would be easier to follow if the plumage were a single uniform colour.

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An Egyptian nightjar and chick resting among pale stones and dry ground, with mottled grey-brown plumage.

Nightjar — A Broken Outline on the Ground