The common nighthawk is a medium-sized bird found across much of North America. As their name suggests, common nighthawks are most active at night. Their natural habitat ranges from open fields to cities and towns. Knowing where common nighthawks live can help people better understand and conserve this fascinating nocturnal bird.
What is a common nighthawk?
The common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is a member of the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae. It is a medium-sized bird, approximately 9 inches in length with a wingspan around 24 inches. The common nighthawk has long, slender wings and is easily identified by its white wing patches.
Common nighthawks have cryptic brown and gray barred plumage that allows them to camouflage against the ground where they nest. They have large, round heads with large eyes and small bills. Their eyes are adapted to see well in low light. Males can be distinguished from females by the large white patches on the underside of their wings.
Common nighthawk habitat
Common nighthawks occupy a wide variety of habitats across much of North America. Their breeding habitat extends from Oregon and Idaho in the west to Nova Scotia in the east. The northern limit of their range stretches to Alaska and Canada, while they can be found as far south as Central America in the winter.
Open and disturbed areas
Common nighthawks frequently make their homes in open habitats including grasslands, meadows, fields, forest clearings, rock outcroppings, and gravel beaches. They prefer areas with little vegetation as this allows them to spot insects while hunting at night. Disturbed areas like logged forests, burns, and agricultural areas provide suitable habitat.
Gravel rooftops and gravel-covered flat roofs in urban areas are prime real estate for nesting nighthawks. The gravel substrate is ideal camouflage for the well-camouflaged eggs. Urban populations of common nighthawks have thrived in cities offering rooftop nesting grounds.
Forest edges
While common nighthawks utilize open areas for foraging at night, they often seek the edges of forests for roosting during the day. The borders between open habitats and woodlands provide cover from predators and shade from the midday sun. Forest openings and clearings also allow the birds to hawk for insects at dawn and dusk.
Lakes, rivers, and wetlands
Riparian areas like riversides, lakes, ponds, marshes, and other wetlands provide drinking water as well as habitats rich in the insects that nighthawks feed on. These aquatic areas often border open fields or meadows, creating an ideal mix of daytime roosts and insect-rich nighttime feeding grounds for nighthawks.
Common nighthawk migration
The majority of common nighthawks migrate long distances between breeding and wintering grounds each year. Their migration is one of the lengthiest of any North American bird.
Spring migration
Nighthawks wintering in South America begin moving north in March and April. They travel through Central America and Mexico, reaching the southern United States by May. By early June, nighthawks arrive in northern latitudes like Canada to establish breeding territories. Spring migration travels over land aided by southerly tailwinds.
Fall migration
In late July and August, nighthawks start migrating south again for the winter. Fall migration occurs earlier than spring, with the bulk of travel happening between late August and early September. The fall return journey to South America takes nighthawks over the Atlantic Ocean, traveling on coastlines or offshore islands when possible.
Migration challenges
Nighthawks migrate solely during darkness. Their long pointed wings allow them to travel vast distances of 1,700 miles or more at airspeeds around 35 mph. However, traversing huge oceans and bad weather presents challenges. Mortality during migration can be high. Nighthawks also face threats like building collisions in urban areas during travel.
Common nighthawk nesting and breeding
After arriving on the breeding grounds, male common nighthawks establish nesting territories. Their displays of aerial acrobatics are believed to attract females. Nighthawk nests are simple – just a bare scrape on open ground. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for hatchlings.
Nest sites
Common nighthawks nest right on the ground in open habitats. They do not build an actual nest, instead selecting a bare site and laying their eggs directly on gravel, soil, leaf litter, or pine needles. Their cryptic patterning allows the eggs to camouflage into the surroundings.
On flat gravel roofs, nighthawks will nest right on the gravel substrate. The color matches their plumage and eggs, offering protective concealment. Other human-made nest sites include logging roads, railroad tracks, cleared fields, and even gravel parking lots.
Eggs and incubations
Females lay 1-2 eggs per clutch from May to July. The eggs are elliptical with speckled gray and brown spotting. Both parents incubate the eggs, frequently rotating the eggs with their beak and feet. Incubation lasts from 17 to 20 days before hatching.
Chicks
Nighthawk chicks are born with their eyes open and some downy feathers. They are precocial meaning they leave the nest within a day or two of hatching. The parents do not actually feed the chicks, instead leading them to suitable habitat with abundant insects. Fledging occurs in 17 to 20 days.
| Breeding Season | Clutch Size | Incubation Period | Fledgling Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| May – July | 1-2 eggs | 17-20 days | 17-20 days |
Common nighthawk diet
Common nighthawks are insectivores and feed almost exclusively on insects. Their large mouths allow them to scoop up insects in flight. They forage for food at dawn and dusk or throughout the night when insects are active.
Aerial foraging
Nighthawks hunt on the wing, dexterously catching thousands of insects each day. Their slender wings and quick flight allow them to deftly change direction to snatch bugs. They grab insects directly in their mouth or use their small beak to pick them off surfaces. Common foods include flying ants, moths, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, and other flying insects.
Ground gleaning
In addition to aerial feeding, nighthawks sometimes pick insects right off the ground. If insect populations are low in the air, they will supplement by walking along the ground and grabbing bugs with their beak. Gleaning from surfaces allows them to catch insects like beetles, caterpillars, crickets, and spiders.
Feeding habitat
Open areas like grasslands, marshes, and beaches provide a bounty of insect prey. These habitats are rich in favored foods like ants and moths. Forest edges and urban settings also supply plenty of insects. Nighthawks adjust their feeding location based on local insect availability.
Common nighthawk population trends
Common nighthawk numbers have been declining in recent decades across many parts of their range. However, they remain widespread and numerous enough not to be considered threatened or endangered at this time.
Declining numbers
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, common nighthawk populations declined by over 60% between 1966 and 2015. The reasons for the declines are not fully understood but likely involve a combination of habitat loss and insect population decreases.
Threats
Habitat degradation from intensive agriculture, development, logging, and mining negatively impacts nighthawk breeding grounds and foraging areas. Insect declines linked to pesticide use and climate change may also be reducing food availability. Mortality from collisions with buildings and vehicles takes a further toll.
Conservation status
The common nighthawk has no special conservation status currently. Its large range and population size mean it is not considered threatened or endangered. However, its long-term declines are concerning, and conservation plans recommend protecting habitat in breeding areas.
Interesting facts about common nighthawks
Beyond where they live, common nighthawks exhibit many fascinating behaviors and traits:
- Common nighthawks are also called “bullbats” based on their vocalizations.
- They perform elaborate aerial displays during breeding season, swooping and diving to attract mates.
- Nighthawks are famous for congregating in huge migratory flocks called “flights.”
- Their eyelids contain a clear membrane that acts like night-vision goggles.
- To conserve energy, they enter torpor by lowering their body temperature at night.
- The common nighthawk is the only nighthawk species found in much of North America.
Conclusion
In summary, common nighthawks occupy diverse habitats across North and South America. They thrive in open areas like grasslands and gravel roofs while requiring adjacent forests for roosting. Their lengthy annual migrations traverse thousands of miles between northern nesting grounds and southern wintering regions in South America. Despite some concerning population declines, common nighthawks remain widespread and can adapt well to living alongside humans in modified habitats. Their unique nocturnal lifestyle and long-distance travels make nighthawks a fascinating species to study and observe. With increased awareness and habitat conservation, these aerial acrobats can continue gracing our skies with their presence each summer.
