Common Nighthawk

The Common Nighthawk, or bullbat (Chordeiles minor), is a medium-sized bird of the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae. It is a crepuscular or nocturnal bird, most active during the twilight hours. Its plumage is a mottled mix of gray, black, and brown, providing excellent camouflage against the bark of trees or the ground. This bird is most easily detected by its vocalizations or when it takes to the air in its buoyant and erratic flight. Despite its small beak, the Common Nighthawk has a surprisingly large mouth, which it uses to capture insects in flight. It is often mistaken for an owl due to its horizontal posture and short legs, which are not well-suited for walking on the ground. Instead, it prefers to perch horizontally on branches, posts, or even flat surfaces like roofs or the ground.

Identification Tips

The Common Nighthawk can be identified by its long slender wings, which extend beyond a notched tail when at rest. The wings also feature noticeable white patches, and the bird's sides and abdomen are barred. It measures 22 to 25 cm in length, has a wingspan of 51 to 61 cm, and weighs between 55 to 98 grams. The bird's large, flattened head and large eyes are distinctive, but it lacks the rictal bristles often seen in other bird species.

Habitat

The Common Nighthawk can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, savannahs, scrublands, cities, and prairies. It is drawn to urban areas by the abundance of insects and can be found at elevations from sea level to 3,000 meters.

Distribution

This bird is widespread across North America during the breeding season and migrates to South America for the winter. Its range extends from the forests of Canada to the southernmost tips of the United States.

Behaviour

The Common Nighthawk is primarily solitary, though males may roost together. It shows variability in territory size and is known for its aerial insectivore behavior. The bird is not well adapted to survive in conditions of low food availability, which is a driving force for its migration patterns.

Song & Calls

The Common Nighthawk's vocalizations include a nasal "peent" or "beernt" during flight, which is most prominent shortly after sunset. Males produce a croaking "auk auk auk" during courtship and a booming sound created by air rushing through the primaries during a dive.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from mid-March to early October, with the bird typically producing one brood per season. The Common Nighthawk nests on bare ground, such as rock or gravel, and the female is the primary incubator of the eggs. Males may also incubate occasionally.

Similar Species

The Common Nighthawk can be confused with the Antillean Nighthawk and the Lesser Nighthawk. However, it can be distinguished by its forked tail with a white bar in males, longer outermost primaries, and different vocalizations.

Diet and Feeding

The Common Nighthawk feeds on flying insects, particularly beetles, bees, ants, wasps, butterflies, and moths. It hunts at high altitudes or in open areas and is rarely observed feeding at night.

Conservation status

The Common Nighthawk is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, there has been a general decline in its numbers in North America, attributed to factors such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and changes in urban architecture that reduce available nesting sites. Conservation efforts include providing gravel pads on roofs to create suitable breeding areas.