Male
Description
Size: 9.5”
Plumage/Description: Male and female plumage similar. Rarely observed at rest, most easily observed in flight. Long pointed wings, with prominent white bars visible both on the underside and topside of their wings. Overall plumage is a mottled, cryptic pattern. Well camouflaged for resting undetected during the day. Small, wide beak for catching insects in flight.
Habitat: Grassland, Riparian/Deciduous
Time of year: Spring, Summer
Relative Abundance: Uncommon.
Behavior: Primarily nocturnal. Active at dusk, at the same time of day when bats become active. Hunts using an ‘aerial foraging’ technique, catching insects in flight. Flight pattern and behavior is distinctive and is easily identified as being a nighthawk.
Diet: Insects
Similar species: Lesser Nighthawk.
Best Sites: Airport Recharge Ponds, Willow Lake, Watson Lake, Watson Woods.
