There are about 10 living species, found in Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and nearby islands. As their name suggests, they look like a mix of an owl and a nightjar.

Owlet-nightjars have tiny bills surrounded by stiff bristles. Even though their bills are small, they can open their mouths very wide to catch flying insects.

Their soft feathers are a mixture of black, brown, gray, and white. These colors help them blend in with tree bark, providing excellent camouflage during the day. Owlet-nightjars also have large, round eyes for seeing at night and small feet for perching.

Owlet-nightjars are nocturnal (active at night). They mainly eat insects, which they usually catch while flying. Sometimes, they also hunt for prey on the ground.