# Common Nighthawk (*Chordeiles minor*) The Common Nighthawk is a bird that flies at dusk and dawn, catching insects in the air. It has a unique call that sounds like 'peent'. Look up in the sky to spot this amazing bird! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 17 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Nighthawk ![Common Nighthawk](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424679/objects/6006.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Nighthawk is a medium-sized bird with a mottled grey-brown plumage, black primary feathers, and a distinctive white bar across its long, pointed wings. It has a tiny beak but a huge mouth and a striking white patch on its throat, making it easily distinguishable in flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Caprimulgiformes - **Family:** Caprimulgidae - **Genus:** Chordeiles ## Interesting facts - A nighthawk can open its mouth so wide it looks like it's grinning while flying! - Despite their name, nighthawks are most active at dawn and dusk, not deep night! - Their unique 'peent' call sounds a bit like a tiny, nasal frog croaking. - They don't build nests; eggs are laid directly on gravel, rocks, or even rooftops. ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobat Eater:** Common Nighthawk can catch flying insects mid-air with its wide mouth because of its agile flight and keen eyesight. - **Night Sky Camouflage:** Common Nighthawk has cryptic plumage that helps them blend perfectly with tree bark or gravel rooftops, making them hard to spot. - **Booming Dive Display:** Common Nighthawk can produce a loud 'booming' sound with its wings during courtship because of specialized wing feathers. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 22-25 cm - **Wingspan:** 57-61 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-10 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 18-20 days - **Migration Distance:** 6500 km ## Diet & Feeding Common Nighthawks are expert bug catchers, scooping up all sorts of flying insects while in flight! - **Primary Foods:** Moths, Beetles, Flies, Grasshoppers, Dragonflies, Ants - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Green Darner (*Anax junius*) — Nighthawks prey on various large flying insects. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Owls sometimes hunt adult nighthawks. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes may prey on eggs or nestlings on the ground. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Observe these birds from a safe distance to avoid disturbing them in their natural habitat. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Nighthawk? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Nighthawk? 22-25 cm ### What is Common Nighthawk's wingspan? 57-61 cm ### How much does Common Nighthawk weigh? 0.05-0.1 kg ### How long does Common Nighthawk live? 4-10 years ### How fast can Common Nighthawk move? 70 km/h ### What does Common Nighthawk eat? Common Nighthawks are expert bug catchers, scooping up all sorts of flying insects while in flight! ### Where is Common Nighthawk usually found? Urban areas ## Where to spot - [Fox Chase Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fox-chase-farm) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic Site - [Gensburg-Markham Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gensburg-markham-prairie) — Illinois, US · Nature Reserve - [P Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/p-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Quartz Mountain Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quartz-mountain-nature-park) — Oklahoma, US · Park - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Sod House Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sod-house-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Common Nighthawk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-nighthawk) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Common Nighthawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-nighthawk)