NEED TO KNOW

• The great eared nightjar is a nocturnal bird that resembles a fluffy dragon

• Great eared nightjars can be found in the woodlands of Southeast Asia

• The birds build their nests on the forest floor

Ever wondered what a small, fluffy dragon with catlike ears looks like? Meet the great eared nightjar, a rather mystical-looking bird.

This big-eyed creature, whose name is Lyncornis macrotis and is often nicknamed the "baby dragon," lives in the "dense, low-lying woodlands" of South and Southeast Asia, per LiveScience.

You will likely spot them in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the "great eared" status comes from the golden feathers atop their heads, which resemble cat ears.

These nocturnal birds can grow to 12-16 inches tall and stand out from other birds with their impeccable posture and unique ears, according to eBird. The species' brown, black, and gray plumage helps them camouflage from predators such as owls.

They also maintain a busy schedule. During the day, the birds lie motionless on the ground, blending into piles of leaves and tree stumps to hide from predators. At night, they're on the hunt for moths, beetles, and other flying insects.

One way the great eared nightjar distinguishes itself is by how it eats and drinks. Australian Geographic reports that the bird catches prey midair during hunting. They will also skillfully glide over lakes and scoop water into their mouths while flying.

The great eared nightjar is also different from other birds because of how it nests. Instead of building a nest in a tree and laying several eggs at a time, they will lay one egg at a time on a bed of leaves on the forest floor.

Great eared nightjar parents incubate their egg together, taking turns until it hatches. The offspring remain in the camouflaged home on the floor and are fed by their parents until they are old enough to gather their own food.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the species' conservation status as of 2020 is "Least Concern."

An animal population is considered "Least Concern" when it has been evaluated against the Red List criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened."

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As for what these glorious creatures sound like, the great eared nightjar's piercing call can be heard at dawn and dusk.

The birds use sharp chirps, followed by low whistles, to mark territories, attract mates, and warn other birds.

Read the original article on People