12 Flying Creatures That Could Outshine Your Outdoor Lighting

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If you think about how your backyard is in the nighttime, you can picture string lights, lanterns or even a fire pit. Have you ever thought that nature itself would have already invented its own dazzlers? With glowing owls, flickering fireflies, and the skies filled with interesting creatures that can compete with any man made setup, we have been blessed with some beautiful creatures. Nothing feels quite as mysterious and beautiful as these natural wonders.

They might be a bird that flashes brilliant plumage by moonlight or an insect that turns your garden into a light show, but these flying creatures are not only eye catching, they’re awe inspiring. Here are some of those marvels, and how they can turn your evenings into a spectacle you can’t forget.

Fireflies

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Picture a garden full of tiny floating sparks in the air. Fireflies or lightning bugs are masters of the natural light show. Using bioluminescence, these insects communicate, attract mates, or even deter predators. It’s a little bit like watching nature’s Morse code blink on your porch. Fun fact: According to a ResearchGate study, fireflies are more active in those areas that have less artificial light, so dimming your backyard lights could actually bring on the sparkle!

Luna Moths

Luna moths appear to be from a dream with their pale green wings and long tails. Quite ethereal creatures, they fly mostly at night, their wings being far too delicate to catch the sun. But they aren’t just pretty faces, luna moths participate in pollination. Though they don’t glow like fireflies, the ghostly way they appear under outdoor lights is almost as mesmerizing.

Owls

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Most owls are known for their silent flight and haunting calls, but a few species, such as the barn owl, are just plain beautiful at night. Even the faintest light reflects off of their pale almost luminous feathers, causing them to glow almost otherworldly. A ResearchGate study showed that barn owls’ white feathers could reflect moonlight to deter prey as they appear larger and more frightening. I didn’t know that moonlit feathers could be a method of hunting.

Hummingbird Moths

Have you ever seen a glimpse of a hummingbird after dusk and thought, ‘What the hell is that?’ It was likely a hummingbird moth! These insects are speedy, looking and acting like their avian namesake, wingbeats and all. If you catch them feeding from flowers in your garden, you may do a double take at how much these guys look like tiny birds.

Bats

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Bats got a bad rap, but hear me out, their flight is graceful. With the right lighting they fly the shadows of their wings across the sky like a ballet. Some species, such as the Mexican free tailed bat, are particularly fun to watch as they frenzy into the night for food. And with their bug eating habits, there are also fewer mosquitoes crashing your backyard hangouts.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies are often seen during the day, but linger into twilight. Their wings are iridescent and dart through the air, catching the last rays of sunlight which sparkle if lit right. Also, entomologists say, dragonflies are amazing predators, with some species achieving a hunting success rate of over 95 percent. Seeing them flash through the evening is like seeing nature’s fighter jets going by.

Glowworms

These aren’t worms in the sense of creepy crawlies — they’re beetle larvae, with glowing bodies. Imagine tiny, sparkling dots in the grass, and in the shrubs, and in your yard, turning your yard into an enchanted forest. If you’d like to see the bioluminescence on a bigger scale, New Zealand’s famous glowworm caves offer the chance, but perhaps, you already have a version in your own backyard.

Hawk Moths

Hawk moths are recognized by their striking wing patterns, and they make a striking appearance at night. Patterns can even look like skulls, as with some species such as the death’s head hawkmoth. When they sweep about outdoor lights, their bold designs make them stand out in a way that looks straight out of a Gothic novel.

Nightjars

By day, these birds are master of camouflage, but by night, they come alive. Their soft, almost silken feathers marry so well to the evening light. You can watch their aerial acrobatics as they hunt for insects, under a full moon.

Swallowtail Butterflies

It’s true, there are night owls among butterflies too, for example, the giant swallowtail butterfly. Most butterflies go to sleep at sunset, but a few species fly in low light, their brightly marked wings catching what scant light they can. It’s like stained glass come to life.

Moths of the Atlas Variety

The atlas moth, one of the largest moths in the world, is a true showstopper. Measuring at over a foot, its wingspan and the intricate patterns of it are nothing short of art work. No string of fairy lights ever comes close to the drama these giants could bring when they take flight.

Swifts

Swifts are more closely associated with daylight than dusk, though they often are seen in the early evening as they fly. These birds are known for their agility, it’s fair to say they’re fast too, and they perform intricate dances in the sky that have you staring upwards, wondering how on earth do they do that? To see their twilight antics for what they are is nature’s way of telling us to look up more often.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.