Can You Own a Great Eared Nightjar in the UK? Legal Guide 2026

The great eared nightjar has taken the internet by storm. With its fluffy plumage, distinctive "ear" tufts, and uncanny resemblance to a baby dragon from a fantasy film, it's easy to see why people are searching "can you own a great eared nightjar" in record numbers.

The short answer is: No. Not legally. Not ethically. Not practically.

But the reasons why are actually fascinating—and understanding them teaches us something important about which exotic animals can realistically be kept as pets, and which should remain wild.

What Is a Great Eared Nightjar?

The great eared nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis) is a species of nightjar—a family of nocturnal birds known for their cryptic plumage and haunting calls. It's the largest nightjar species in the world, measuring 31-41cm in length.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: 31-41cm long (about the size of a wood pigeon)

• Weight: 130-150g

• Plumage: Grey-brown mottled feathers providing camouflage

• Distinctive features: Long feather tufts resembling ears, large expressive eyes, wide gape

• Call: A distinctive "tsiik" followed by "ba-haaww"

Natural Habitat

Great eared nightjars live in:

• Southwest India (Western Ghats)

• Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar)

• Parts of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

They inhabit subtropical and tropical lowland forests, where they spend daylight hours roosting motionlessly on branches, relying on their incredible camouflage to avoid predators.

Why They Look Like Dragons

The "dragon bird" nickname comes from several features:

• Ear tufts that resemble horns

• Large, forward-facing eyes

• Mottled plumage that looks scale-like in certain photos

• Wide mouth that opens dramatically

Photos shared on social media often emphasise these features through careful angles and lighting, making them look even more fantastical than they appear in real life.

Why Has It Gone Viral?

The great eared nightjar has had multiple viral moments since 2017, with periodic surges on TikTok, Twitter/X, and Instagram. The appeal is obvious: in an age of fantasy films and video games, here's a real bird that looks like it flew straight out of a dragon's nest.

The pattern typically goes:

1. Someone shares a particularly striking photo

2. It gets captioned "This bird looks like a dragon!"

3. The image spreads across platforms

4. Search volume for "great eared nightjar pet" spikes

5. Disappointed would-be owners discover the reality

This viral cycle has made the great eared nightjar one of the most searched "can I own this?" animals—alongside other internet-famous creatures like fennec foxes, raccoons, and capybaras.

The Legal Position in the UK

International Law: CITES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates cross-border movement of wildlife. While the great eared nightjar itself isn't listed as endangered (it's "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List), the practical effect is the same: there's no legal mechanism to import one into the UK.

Wild-caught birds cannot be legally exported from their native countries, and there's no captive-bred population to draw from.

UK Law: Wildlife and Countryside Act

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and related legislation strictly regulate keeping wild birds in the UK. While it primarily covers native British species, the practical barriers to keeping a non-native wild-caught bird are immense.

No DWA Requirement

The great eared nightjar isn't listed on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 schedule because... nobody keeps them. The DWA covers animals that people actually attempt to keep. Nightjars don't even register.

Practical Legal Reality

Even if you somehow acquired a great eared nightjar, you would need to prove:

• Legal origin (impossible for a species not bred in captivity)

• CITES documentation (unavailable)

• Appropriate welfare provision (impossible to demonstrate)

Why Keeping One Is Impossible

Let's set aside legality for a moment. Even if great eared nightjars were legal to own, keeping one would be practically impossible. Here's why:

1. They're Completely Nocturnal

Great eared nightjars are active only at night. During the day, they sit motionless for hours, relying on camouflage for protection. This means:

• You'd never see your "pet" during waking hours

• Artificial lighting disrupts their natural behaviour

• They don't interact with humans the way diurnal pets do

2. Their Diet Is Impossible to Replicate

In the wild, great eared nightjars catch flying insects on the wing—moths, beetles, and other nocturnal invertebrates. They don't eat from dishes. They don't accept dead food. They catch live prey in mid-flight, in darkness.

Replicating this in captivity would require:

• A constant supply of flying nocturnal insects

• Enough space for hunting flight patterns

• Complete darkness at appropriate times

No home environment can provide this.

3. They're Not Bred in Captivity

There is no captive breeding programme for great eared nightjars anywhere in the world. None. Not in zoos, not in conservation programmes, not by private breeders.

This means:

• Every great eared nightjar is wild-caught

• Taking them from the wild is both illegal and harmful

• There's no way to obtain one ethically

4. They Don't Tame

Even if you could keep a great eared nightjar alive (which you couldn't), they would never become tame or bond with humans. They're wild birds with no history of domestication. They would be perpetually stressed, hiding, and trying to escape.

5. No Veterinary Expertise Exists

If your illegally-obtained nightjar became sick, where would you take it? Even the best exotic vets in the UK have never treated one. There's no established veterinary knowledge for this species in captivity because nobody keeps them.

Beware of Scams

The viral popularity of great eared nightjars has spawned scams. Watch out for:

Fake "For Sale" Listings

If you see a great eared nightjar advertised for sale, it's a scam. Either:

• They'll take your money and disappear

• They'll send a completely different bird (or nothing)

• They're wildlife traffickers (making you party to a crime)

No legitimate breeder sells great eared nightjars because no legitimate breeders exist.

"Rescue" Schemes

Scammers sometimes claim to be "rescuing" great eared nightjars and ask for donations to "rehome" them. This is fraud. Legitimate wildlife rescues don't publicise rare species on social media looking for private homes.

Exotic Pet Dealers Overseas

Some overseas dealers claim they can ship exotic birds internationally. This is illegal under CITES and UK import law. Anyone promising to ship a great eared nightjar to the UK is either scamming you or trafficking wildlife—either way, you'd be committing a criminal offence.

Legal Alternatives: Dragon-Like Pets You Can Own

If you're drawn to the great eared nightjar's dragon-like appearance, good news: several legal pets offer similar appeal.

Bearded Dragons

The original "dragon pet." Bearded dragons are:

• Legal to own without any licence

• Widely captive-bred in the UK

• Genuinely dragon-like in appearance

• Relatively easy to care for

• Diurnal (active when you are)

• Tolerant of handling

Cost: £40-£80 for the animal, £200-£400 for setup

Essential equipment:

• 🛒 Bearded Dragon Vivarium Kit — Complete setup

• 🛒 Arcadia 12% UVB Tube — Essential for health

• 🛒 Basking Bulb — Heat source

Related guide: Bearded Dragon Health Problems UK

Crested Geckos

With their eyelash-like crests and alien features:

• No licence required

• Abundant captive-bred population

• Lower maintenance than bearded dragons

• Interesting nocturnal behaviour

• Beautiful colour morphs available

Cost: £30-£150 for the animal, £100-£200 for setup

Chameleons

Truly otherworldly in appearance:

• Veiled and panther chameleons are legal without licence

• Colour-changing abilities

• Unique biology

• Requires more advanced care

Cost: £80-£200 for the animal, £300-£500 for setup

Related guide: Chameleon Care Guide UK

Chinese Water Dragons

Large, impressive lizards:

• Legal without licence

• Genuinely dragon-like appearance

• Active and interesting behaviour

• Need large enclosures

Cost: £40-£80 for the animal, £300-£600 for setup

For our full guide to legal exotic pets, see: Exotic Pets Without a Licence UK

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the great eared nightjar endangered?

No. It's listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN due to its wide range and stable population. However, being common doesn't make it legal or ethical to keep as a pet.

Where can I see a great eared nightjar?

In their natural habitat: forest reserves in Thailand, Malaysia, India, and other Southeast Asian countries. Some wildlife sanctuaries offer night tours. In the UK, you won't find them in zoos because they don't survive in captivity.

Are any nightjar species legal to keep in the UK?

European nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus) are protected native birds—completely illegal to keep. No nightjar species is realistically keepable as a pet due to their nocturnal, aerial insectivore lifestyle.

What should I do if I see a great eared nightjar for sale?

Report it. In the UK, contact:

• Action Fraud if it's an online scam

• RSPCA or SSPCA (Scotland) if you suspect wildlife crime

• Border Force if import is involved

Why do people want to own one so badly?

The internet creates desire for things that look amazing in photos. The great eared nightjar photographs beautifully. But owning a wild animal isn't like owning a plushie or a poster—it's a living creature with complex needs. The responsible response to finding a beautiful wild animal is appreciation, not acquisition.

What's the closest legal pet to a great eared nightjar?

Nothing replicates a nightjar because their lifestyle is unique. For dragon-like aesthetics, consider bearded dragons or chameleons. For unusual bird keeping, consider legal parrot species instead—they're social, interactive, and actually thrive in human care when properly kept.

Related Resources

• Exotic Pets Without a Licence UK

• UK Exotic Pet Legal Guide

• Dangerous Wild Animals Act UK 2025

• Bearded Dragon Care Guide

The great eared nightjar is genuinely magnificent. But some animals deserve our admiration from a distance. If you're drawn to exotic pets, explore the many species that can genuinely thrive in captivity—and leave the dragon birds to the forests where they belong.