Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How many species are included in the order Caprimulgiformes?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Caprimulgiform
Male common nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) landing
The order Caprimulgiformes includes approximately 120 species of soft-plumaged birds. These birds are primarily active at twilight or during the night and are known for their cryptic coloration and exceptionally large gapes.1
The order comprises several major groups, including nightjars, nighthawks, potoos, frogmouths, and owlet-frogmouths, as well as the oilbird found in South America. While the major divisions of the order are well-defined, ongoing research into species limits continues to refine our understanding of their taxonomy.12