Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor · Nightjars and Nighthawks
The Common Nighthawk is a widespread and familiar bird, often seen hunting flying insects in erratic, bounding flight during twilight hours. Despite its name, it is not a hawk but a member of the nightjar family. This adaptable species has learned to nest on flat gravel roofs in urban areas, in addition to its traditional open ground sites.
Explore the full field guideMigratoryMedium-sizedAerial insectivoreCrepuscular
99 calls·first heard Jun 27·last 21h ago
When it's heardpeak 5a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Characterized by an erratic, buoyant flight with angular, pointed wings, often described as bat-like.
- Prominent white bar across the outer part of each long, pointed wing, visible in flight.
- Mottled brownish-black, gray, and buff, providing excellent camouflage when at rest. Males have a white throat patch and a white subterminal tail bar; females have a buffy throat patch and no tail bar.
- Large, flattened head with large eyes and a tiny bill that opens into a surprisingly wide mouth for catching insects.