Where are Common Nighthawks found?

The Common Nighthawk is a medium-sized bird found throughout much of North America. It is a migratory species that breeds during the summer months in open habitats across much of Canada and the United States before migrating south to wintering grounds in South America.

Breeding Range

The Common Nighthawk breeds across much of Canada and the United States. Its breeding range extends from Alaska and Canada south throughout the western United States to Baja California and Mexico. In the east, it breeds from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia south throughout the eastern United States to Florida and the Gulf Coast states. There are isolated breeding populations on islands in the Caribbean as well.

Within its widespread breeding range, Common Nighthawks are found in open habitats including grasslands, meadows, cleared forests, boggy openings, rock outcrops, gravel beaches, logged areas, sagebrush deserts, and even urban environments. They require open areas for nesting and foraging on flying insects during the crepuscular and nighttime hours.

Western North America

In western North America, Common Nighthawks can be found breeding in the following areas:

• Alaska – central and southern regions
• Western Canada – Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
• Washington, Oregon, and California – throughout most of state except some coastal forests
• Nevada – scattered throughout state
• Idaho, Montana, Wyoming – fairly widespread throughout state
• Utah, Colorado – widespread breeding distribution
• Arizona, New Mexico – widespread except for some forested mountain areas
• Western Texas
• Mexico – along northwest coast and northern Baja California

Central North America

In the central United States and provinces, Common Nighthawks can be found nesting in these areas:

• North Dakota, South Dakota – throughout
• Nebraska, Kansas – statewide
• Oklahoma, Texas – widespread except eastern forests
• Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri – widespread
• Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio – fairly widespread but less common in dense forests

Eastern North America

On the east coast, Common Nighthawks breed in these regions:

• Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland – fairly widespread
• Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut – throughout
• New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia – widespread distribution
• New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina – coastal plain and patchy inland
• Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia – sporadic distribution
• Florida – fairly widespread
• Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana – coastal and western regions

Island Populations

Isolated breeding populations of the Common Nighthawk occur on these islands:

• Caribbean – Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico
• Pacific – Hawaii (non-native population)

Wintering Range

During the non-breeding season, Common Nighthawks migrate long distances to wintering grounds in Central and South America. Their winter range extends from Mexico south through Central America and almost the entire continent of South America.

They occur in a variety of open and semi-open habitats including savannas, grasslands, scrublands, open woodlands, cultivated areas, and even cities. Roosting occurs on open ground.

Mexico and Central America

In Mexico and Central America, Common Nighthawks are widespread winter residents and migrants. They occur in the following areas:

• Mexico – throughout the country including coastal lowlands, interior highlands and plateaus
• Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

Caribbean Islands

Common Nighthawks winter on many Caribbean islands including:

• Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola
• Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
• Lesser Antilles
• Trinidad and Tobago

South America

Most of South America provides wintering grounds for the Common Nighthawk. It can be found in:

• Colombia, Venezuela – throughout
• Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana
• Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia – widespread distribution
• Brazil – occurs throughout country
• Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina – fairly widespread
• Chile – central region

Migration Routes

Common Nighthawks undertake a lengthy fall migration starting in August and September to travel from their breeding grounds to wintering areas. Return migration to breeding areas occurs from late April through May. These nighttime migrants travel overland on broad fronts across North America rather than following coastlines.

There are several major migration routes used by the Common Nighthawk:

• Western flyway – follows the Rocky Mountains from Alaska and Canada south through the western states
• Central flyway – follows the Great Plains from central Canada through the central U.S.
• Mississippi River flyway – follows the Mississippi River valley from the northern U.S. southwards
• Atlantic flyway – follows the Atlantic coast from northeastern North America south

Common Nighthawks migrating south from breeding areas in the western provinces and Alaska funnel through the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Veracruz where large numbers concentrate before crossing the Gulf of Mexico into Central America.

Population Status and Threats

According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Common Nighthawk populations declined significantly between 1966 and 2015. Partners in Flight estimates a population of 5.9 million with a 62% decline over 44 years equating to a 1.9% annual decline.

Major threats contributing to declining populations include:

• Habitat loss on breeding and wintering grounds
• Reduced prey availability due to pesticide use
• Mortality from collisions with vehicles and buildings
• Predation by raptors, crows, and other species

Conservation efforts are needed to provide protected breeding areas with suitable open habitat and insect prey populations. Minimizing pesticide use, reducing collisions, and limiting predation pressure may help stabilize populations.

Conclusion

In summary, Common Nighthawks occupy a vast breeding range across most of Canada and the United States before migrating through Central America to winter primarily in South America. Their populations have significantly declined but focused conservation efforts on breeding and wintering grounds may help reverse the declines.