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Why do male nightjars display white feather patches during courtship?
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Caprimulgiform
Male common nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) landing
In the context of the order Caprimulgiformes, male nightjars possess patches of white feathers that serve as vital signals during mating. These patches are typically concealed while the bird is at rest, but they are flashed during courtship displays to attract potential mates.1