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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CXLI
Field-journal plate: Common Nighthawk
The Common Nighthawk plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CXLI

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Caprimulgidae · Taxon 19577

Length22–24 cm
Wingspan53–57 cm
Weight65–98 g

Field marks

  1. Cryptically mottled and barred gray, brown, black, buff, and white plumage
  2. Very long, narrow, pointed wings
  3. Bold white patch across the outer primaries
  4. Medium-long, slightly notched tail; adult males show a white band near the tip
  5. Small, flat head with a large dark eye, tiny bill, and broad gape
  6. Extremely short legs and a short neck

HabitatOpen ground and open-canopy habitats, including grasslands, savannas, dunes, forest clearings, burns, open forest, and rocky or gravel surfaces. Forages over open areas near woods or wetlands and lays its eggs directly on bare or sparsely vegetated ground.

BehaviorCrepuscular aerial insectivore; hunts flying insects at dawn and dusk with looping, erratic, batlike flight. Rests motionless by day, often lengthwise on a branch or on open ground. Males perform steep courtship dives that produce a booming sound, and migrants may gather in large flocks.

Palette

charcoal blacksmoky grayearthy brownwarm buffwhite