Yes, there are several species of nightjars that live in the United States. Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds in the Caprimulgidae family. They are also known as goatsuckers due to the old myth that they drink milk from goats at night. There are over 80 different species of nightjars found worldwide, and about 9 species that can be found in the US, especially in the southern and western regions.
Introduction to Nightjars
Nightjars are mysterious birds that are rarely seen due to their nocturnal habits. They have large eyes for excellent night vision, and their ears are placed asymmetrically on their heads to help locate prey in the dark. Their cryptic brown, grey, or reddish plumage helps camouflage them during the day when they roost on the ground or on branches. Nightjars got their name from their loud “jar” “churr” or “poip” calls that resonate through the night.
Nightjars have very large mouths with bristles around them to help catch insects on the wing. Their diets mainly consist of moths, beetles, crickets and other large flying insects. They hunt from dusk to dawn, feeding most actively on warm, humid, moonlit nights. During the day they usually roost on the ground or lengthwise along branches, where they blend in remarkably thanks to their camouflage.
Nightjars are found on every continent except Antarctica. Different species populate various habitats including forests, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, and scrublands. In the US, they occupy open woodlands, grasslands, chaparral, and even urban parks and golf courses in the southern and western regions.
Common Nightjar Species in the US
There are 9 species of nightjars found in the US. These include:
- Common Nighthawk
- Common Poorwill
- Chuck-will’s-widow
- Buff-collared Nightjar
- Eastern Whip-poor-will
- Mexican Whip-poor-will
- Lesser Nighthawk
- Antillean Nighthawk
- Common Pauraque
Below is more information on some of the most widespread and notable nightjars found in the US:
Common Nighthawk
The common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is the most widespread nightjar in North America. It breeds throughout much of the US and Canada before migrating to South America for winter. This cryptic bird nests on bare ground in open habitats and can camouflage remarkably thanks to its mottled brown and grey plumage.
Common nighthawks hunt on long pointed wings as they cruise through the skies over cities and towns across North America. They are best identified by their loud “peent” calls. These aerial insectivores are a welcome natural form of pest control.
Common Poorwill
The common poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) is found in dry, open country across much of the western and southwestern US. These nightjars get their name from their song that sounds like they are saying “poor-will.” They are the only bird in North America known to enter torpor, a short-term hibernation, to survive cold periods.
Poorwills are well-camouflaged on the ground with cryptic plumage in browns, grays, black and white. They nest on the ground and lay their eggs in a bare scrape. During winter, they can reduce their body temperature and metabolism to conserve energy on cold nights.
Chuck-will’s-widow
The chuck-will’s-widow (Antrostomus carolinensis) inhabits forested areas across the southeastern US Their name comes from the familiar “chuck-will’s-widow” song the males make at night. These nightjars nest on the ground in woodlands and oak-pine forests.
Chuck-will’s-widows are larger than nighthawks and whip-poor-wills. They have cryptic plumage in browns, grays and black with intricate patterning and markings. Their large mouths allow them to deftly catch moths, beetles, flying ants and other insects at night.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
The eastern whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) is found in forested areas in the eastern half of the US and Canada. Their name comes from the loud “whip-poor-will” song the males repeat through the night. These vocalizations can be heard up to 0.6 miles away on moonlit nights.
Whip-poor-wills nest on the ground in areas with leaf litter. Their mottled plumage provides excellent camouflage. They emerge at dusk to hunt flying insects using their large gapes and wide mouths. Populations of eastern whip-poor-wills have declined significantly in recent decades.
Lesser Nighthawk
The lesser nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) can be found in deserts, dry grasslands, and scrublands in the southwestern US and Mexico. Despite their name, they are not closely related to the common nighthawk. These compact nightjars have long, pointed wings and cryptic brown and white plumage.
Lesser nighthawks nest directly on the ground, laying their eggs in a bare scrape in gravel or sand. The male performs impressive aerial displays during courtship as he flies high and then dives suddenly before pulling up. Their nasal “beep” calls echo through the night skies.
Nightjar Habitats
Different nightjar species occupy various habitats across the US including:
- Forests – Many nightjars nest and roost in forests, especially pine and oak woodlands. Examples include the chuck-will’s-widow, eastern whip-poor-will, and common poorwill.
- Chaparral – Chaparral is an arid scrubland habitat found in California and parts of the southwest. Species like the common poorwill and lesser nighthawk can live in chaparral ecosystems.
- Deserts – Nightjars like the lesser nighthawk and common poorwill inhabit deserts in the southwest where they nest on bare ground.
- Grasslands – Open grassy areas are favored by widespread species like the common nighthawk and common poorwill.
- Cities – Common nighthawks adapt well to urban areas and can often be seen hunting insects over city skies and rooftops.
The natural camouflage and cryptic habits of nightjars allow them to blend into most of these habitats during daylight hours when they are roosting and nesting.
Nightjar Migration
Most nightjars in North America are migratory, traveling between breeding areas in the US and Canada to wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Some details on nightjar migration:
- Northern populations migrate south for winter while southern populations may be year-round residents.
- Migrations occur exclusively at night when nightjars are most active.
- Some species fly long distances – the common nighthawk may log over 6,500 miles round trip each year.
- Their large wings allow them to fly long distances over oceans and mountains.
- Migrating flocks congregate in Mexico and Central America where insects remain abundant through winter.
Nightjars have amazing navigation abilities to travel these huge distances in total darkness guided only by the stars and other cues. Their nocturnal habits make them rarely seen migrants as they pass swiftly through the night skies.
Threats and Conservation
Many nightjar populations have declined over recent decades. These mysterious birds face a variety of threats including:
- Habitat loss – Logging, agriculture and development destroys critical roosting and nesting areas.
- Pesticides – Chemical use eliminates insect food sources and can poison birds.
- Artificial lights – Bright lights along migration routes and in breeding areas can disorient and exhaust nightjars.
- Predators & parasites – Nest predation by mammals, snakes, and ants, as well as brood parasitism by cowbirds impacts breeding success.
- Vehicle collisions – Nightjars roosting on roads at night are susceptible to being hit by vehicles.
Conservation initiatives aimed at protecting habitats, reducing pesticide use, and limiting artificial light pollution can benefit nightjar populations. Educating people about these mysterious birds is also important so their habitats are appreciated and protected.
Fun Facts about Nightjars
- Nightjars have special comb-like structures called lamellae on their middle toes that allow them to cling to branches lengthwise.
- They have one of the widest gapes of any bird which allows them to swallow large insects whole.
- The common nighthawk holds the record for the fastest level flight for a bird, recorded at 69 mph.
- Nightjars get their name from their loud “jarring” song that echoes through the night.
- Their huge mouths allow them to eat approximately 50 percent of their body weight in insects per day.
- Male nightjars perform dazzling aerial displays during courtship as they dive through the air.
- The common poorwill is the only bird known to enter a state of torpor similar to hibernation.
- Nightjars have special feathers with soft, fringed edges that allow silent flight.
Conclusion
Nightjars are a fascinating and mystical group of nocturnal birds perfectly adapted for hunting in darkness. While rarely seen, several species inhabit areas across the southern and western United States. Habitat loss and other threats have caused some populations to decline, putting spotlight on the need for continued conservation efforts.
These cryptic birds remain mysterious to most people, tucked away in woodlands and deserts as they hunt under the cloak of night. But their loud songs reveal their presence after dusk. Learning more about nightjars and their behaviors helps foster appreciation for these remarkable denizens of darkness that occupy our night skies.
