Common Nighthawk Photo Gallery
Adult
Medium-sized, slender bird with long, pointed wings. Note white patch on the wings located closer to the bend in the wing.
© Ronnie d'Entremont | Macaulay LibrarySouth Dakota, June 25, 2017Adult
Extremely short-legged with a tiny bill and small flat head. Looks rather chunky when perched, but slim in flight. Well camouflaged in gray, white, buff, and black. Note white patch on lower edge of the wing.
© Jane Mann | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 30, 2017Adult
Long-winged and flat-headed with a tiny bill. Plumage color varies across the range with some individuals having more rusty tones while others are grayer. Note white patch on lower edge of the wing.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, April 28, 2013Adult
Nests on the ground in open areas such as gravel bars, forest clearings, coastal sand dunes, or sparsely vegetated grasslands.
© Cameron Rutt | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, May 24, 2017© Andrew Dreelin | Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 14, 2020
Adult
Most active and dusky and dawn. During the day roosts in trees, on the ground, or on a flat roof.
© Matt Hofeditz | Macaulay LibraryColorado, July 28, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Nightjars and Allies(Order: Caprimulgiformes, Family: Caprimulgidae)
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