Lesser Nighthawks
Nighthawks
The Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis, is a nightjar.
Description
The adults are dark with brown, grey and white patterning on the upperparts and breast; the long upperwings are black and show a white bar in flight. The tail is dark with white barring; the underparts are buffy with fine black horizontal streaking.
The adult male has a white throat; the female has a light brown throat.
Similar Species ID:
This bird looks similar to the Common Nighthawk, but is slightly smaller, has a slightly less deeply forked tail, and is more buffy in coloration. The calls are also completely different.
Calls / Vocalization
The Lesser Nighthawk has a rapid, low whistled melodious trill, lasting several seconds. It is usually heard only near breeding areas.
Range / Distribution
Their breeding habitat is open country from southwest United States through Central America to tropical South America.
These birds are partial migrants. The Lesser Nighthawk retreats from the United States and northern Mexico during the winter months. Occasionally single birds may be found overwintering.
The nighthawk is also occasionally found as a vagrant to the US Gulf Coast states to Florida.
Breeding / Nesting
They usually nest on bare ground, sometimes in raised locations including stumps and boulders or flat house roofs
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.
Adults flushed from the nest may try to distract the intruder or defend the nest site by aerial attack.
Young birds sometimes perform a defense display by opening up their mouths and spreading their wings, looking to appear threatening and looking larger than they actually are before they run off.
Diet / Feeding
They catch flying insects on the wing, mainly foraging near dawn and dusk (t) ), sometimes at night with a full moon or near street lighting.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Chordeiles acutipennis. 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
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.org
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
