A nightjar of dusk and dawn, famous for the booming "voom" sound males produce by pulling out of a courtship dive. Catches insects on the wing with an oversized gape.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The common nighthawk or bullbat is a medium-sized crepuscular or nocturnal bird of the Americas within the nightjar (Caprimulgidae) family, whose presence and identity are best revealed by its vocalization. Typically dark, displaying cryptic colouration and intricate patterns, this bird is difficult to spot with the naked eye during the day. This bird is most conspicuous when in its buoyant and erratic flight. The most remarkable feature of this aerial insectivore is its small beak that belies the massiveness of its mouth. Some claim appearance similarities to owls. With its horizontal stance and short legs, the common nighthawk does not travel frequently on the ground, instead preferring to perch horizontally, parallel to branches, on posts, on the ground or on a roof. The males of this species may roost together but the bird is primarily solitary. The common nighthawk shows variability in territory size.
Source: Wikipedia — Common nighthawk Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium-sized aerial bird with extraordinarily long pointed wings (white wing bar visible from below at wing crook), tiny bill, large head. Flies erratically with bouncing wingbeats.
Similar species. Other nightjars (no white wing bar, longer tails). Lesser Nighthawk (wing bar closer to tip). Common Pauraque (longer rounded tail).
Voice. Nasal "peent!" call; male dive ends with hollow "vroom" of air rushing through primary feathers.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Flying insects — beetles, moths, flies, mosquitoes, true bugs. Catches prey in cavernous wide-open mouth during foraging flights.
Behavior. Active at dawn, dusk, and through the night. Males perform a spectacular courtship flight: climbing high, then diving with wings tucked, then pulling out with a sudden "vroom" sound made by air rushing over the wing feathers. Nests on bare ground (gravel beds, rocky barrens) or flat gravel-covered urban rooftops — many cities have lost their nighthawk populations as flat roofs switched from gravel to rubber membrane. Populations have declined 60%+ since 1966.
§ Range
Across North America in summer; winters in South America
§ Habitat
Open habitats including grasslands, deserts, gravel rooftops in cities
§ Threats
Loss of gravel-roof nest sites to membrane roofs, pesticide-driven insect declines, light pollution.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the common nighthawk is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Advocate for gravel pads on flat roofs. Reduce outdoor lighting at night. Eliminate pesticide use around homes.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Common nighthawk
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Chordeiles minor
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22689713
- iNaturalist · taxon 4653
- eBird · comnig
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Chordeiles minor
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- American Bird Conservancy
- Audubon Climate Initiative
- IUCN Red List 2018
