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Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Least Concern
Envergadura
38,6 cm
Peso
71,75 g
Familia
Caprimulgidae
Orden
Caprimulgiformes

Acerca de

A medium Caprimulgidae nighthawk (~72 g) widespread across North America, wintering in South America. Characterised by white wing patches conspicuous in erratic aerial flight. Breeds on flat gravel rooftops and open ground. Highly aerial; catches flying insects at dusk and night. Least Concern despite urban declines.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Envergadura 38,6 cm 15.2 in
Peso 71,75 g 2.53 oz

Identificación

Plumaje

Brown and grey mottled above; white throat in male; white and dark barred underparts; distinctive white wing bar across primaries positioned more centrally than in Lesser Nighthawk; white tail band in male.

Habitat & Range

Distribución geográfica

Breeds across North America from Alaska to the Gulf Coast; long-distance migrant wintering in South America south to Argentina.

Diet & Feeding

Aerial insectivore; catches flying beetles, ants, moths, and flies in fast aerial pursuit over open habitats.

Estado de conservación

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Comportamiento y reproducción

Nidificación

Nest type: NO. Incubation: 16-20 days. Fledging: 25-30 days.

Tamaño de la puesta

1-2

Sonido

Canto

Loud, nasal 'peent' call repeated in flight; display dive produces loud booming 'whomp' with wings; churring trill on breeding grounds; colonial roost cacophony

Taxonomía

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Orden Caprimulgiformes (Chotacabras y Vencejos)
Familia Caprimulgidae (Chotacabras)
Genus Chordeiles
Especies Chordeiles minor

Distribution

Common Nighthawk has been recorded in 5 countries.

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Presente Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Preguntas frecuentes

What does the Common Nighthawk eat?
Aerial insectivore; catches flying beetles, ants, moths, and flies in fast aerial pursuit over open habitats.
Where does the Common Nighthawk live?
Breeds across North America from Alaska to the Gulf Coast; long-distance migrant wintering in South America south to Argentina.
Is the Common Nighthawk endangered?
The Common Nighthawk has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Common Nighthawk nest?
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 16-20 days. Fledging: 25-30 days.
What does the Common Nighthawk sound like?
Loud, nasal 'peent' call repeated in flight; display dive produces loud booming 'whomp' with wings; churring trill on breeding grounds; colonial roost cacophony
How big is the Common Nighthawk?
The Common Nighthawk has a wingspan of 38.6 cm, weight of 71.75 g.
What order and family does the Common Nighthawk belong to?
The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Caprimulgidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Caprimulgidae family

Comparar

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