Common Nighthawks
Nighthawks
The Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, is a nightjar. Common Nighthawks are called bullbats in many parts of the United States. The origin of this name is not clear. The erratic flight and crepuscular (active during the twilight) habits of the nighthawk resemble those of bats. In addition, the name (perhaps bull) may refer to the loud booming sound of the male's display.
Description
The adults have dark with brown, grey and white patterning on the upperparts and breast; the long wings are black and reveal a white bar when in flight. The tail is dark with white barring; the underparts are white with black bars.
The adult male has a white throat; the female has a light brown throat.
Nesting / Breeding
The male performs an aerial display during courtship, creating a booming sound near the end of a steep dive. The sound is produced by air rushing through the wingtips.
They usually nest on bare ground, sometimes in raised locations including stumps or gravel roofs. They especially favor burned areas in forests. The two eggs are laid directly on bare ground--there is no nest. Incubation is performed largely by the female and lasts for about 20 days. Young fledge at about 20 days of age. There may be a second brood in the southern part of the United States.
Range / Distribution
Their breeding habitat is open country across North America. These birds winter in South America. They migrate in flocks. The Common Nighthawk is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.
Diet / Feeding
They catch flying insects on the wing, mainly foraging near dawn and dusk (crepuscular - active during the twilight), sometimes at night with a full moon or near street lighting.
Calls / Vocalization
The call is a short peet usually heard overhead.
Taxonomy
The scientific name for this species, minor, leads to some confusion. Originally this species was placed in genus Caprimulgus, and it is indeed smaller than some other members of that genus, such as the Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus. However, with the Common Nighthawk moved to the genus Chordeiles, it is in the odd position of being named minor, even though it is larger than the Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Chordeiles minor. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- John K. Terres (1980), Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds, Knopf, ISBN 0-394-46651-9
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