How do some nightjars catch crawling insects on the ground?

While nightjars are primarily known for catching insects on the wing, they are more agile on their feet than is often assumed and utilize specific methods to capture crawling prey. To catch crawling insects on the ground, many nightjars swoop down from arboreal perches or move by running along the ground to secure their food.1

This behavior is part of their broader food habits, which also include making short sallies from perches—similar to flycatchers—to capture prey, often taking advantage of the increased visibility found along roads.1