Freckled Nightjars are more likely to go into energy-saving mode based on how bright the moon is than on how cold it is, which means they might be using the moonlight to hunt instead of just reacting to the temperature.

6

Pro

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Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

6

Community contributions welcome

6

Torpor in Dark Times: Patterns of Heterothermy Are Associated with the Lunar Cycle in a Nocturnal Bird

Cross-Sectional Study

Animal

2011 Jun

The study shows that Freckled Nightjars go into energy-saving mode more during dark nights, not because it's cold, but because they can't hunt well without moonlight. This supports the idea that light for hunting matters more than temperature for their behavior.

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No contradicting evidence found

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Source Study

Torpor in Dark Times: Patterns of Heterothermy Are Associated with the Lunar Cycle in a Nocturnal Bird

Score: 6

DOI: 10.1177/0748730411402632

Similar Assertions

European nightjars stay up late hunting bugs, and they seem to do it more when the moon is bright—probably because the extra light helps them see their dinner better.

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European nightjars stay up way longer and hunt more bugs on bright, moonlit nights than on dark ones — it’s like they’re using the moon as a nightlight to help them see their dinner.

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Even when there's plenty of food around, these night birds still slow down their bodies at night—probably because it's dark and hard to find food, not just because food is scarce.

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Freckled Nightjars are night birds that sometimes chill out and go into energy-saving mode during dark nights—even when there's plenty of food. It seems they do this not because they're hungry, but because it's too dark to hunt well.

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