Nightjars are extraordinary nocturnal birds of heathland and open forest. Their cryptic lifestyle makes welfare monitoring challenging but their habitat needs are clear.
Nightjar welfare is threatened primarily by heathland loss and disturbance at nest sites. Nests on open ground are easily disturbed by walkers and dogs - adult birds sitting tight until the last moment before flushing expose eggs and chicks to thermal stress. Successful recovery of nightjar populations in managed heathland shows that active habitat management creates genuine welfare improvements. Light pollution around heathland edges may reduce foraging efficiency by suppressing moth activity, a welfare concern that deserves more research.