Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="chordeiles-minor"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/chordeiles-minor/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/chordeiles-minor/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/chordeiles-minor/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="chordeiles-minor"></birdfyi-bird>On this page
À propos
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Envergure | 38,6 cm | 15.2 in |
| Poids | 71,75 g | 2.53 oz |
Identification
Plumage
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
Répartition géographique
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.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 16-20 days. Fledging: 25-30 days.
Taille de la couvée
1-2
Son
Chant
Loud, nasal 'peent' call repeated in flight; display dive produces loud booming 'whomp' with wings; churring trill on breeding grounds; colonial roost cacophony
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Famille | Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) |
| Genus | Chordeiles |
| Espèces | Chordeiles minor |
Distribution
Common Nighthawk has been recorded in 5 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Foire aux questions
What does the Common Nighthawk eat?
Where does the Common Nighthawk live?
Is the Common Nighthawk endangered?
How does the Common Nighthawk nest?
What does the Common Nighthawk sound like?
How big is the Common Nighthawk?
What order and family does the Common Nighthawk belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Caprimulgidae family