Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor · Nightjars and Nighthawks
Common Nighthawks are most active at dusk and dawn, with a distinctive, nasal peent call. They have an erratic, buoyant flight as they chase insects, often silhouetted against the twilight sky. Their cryptic plumage provides excellent camouflage during the day.
Migrant22-25 cmPeent callInsects
21 calls·first heard Jun 8·last 51d ago
When it's heardpeak 8a · summer
5a12p9p
How to know it
- White bar across outer primaries visible in flight.
- Long, pointed wings and forked tail.
- Often seen flying erratically at dusk/dawn over open areas.