Nighthawks

Birds of North America

Caprimulgus

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Nighthawks

There are three tpyes of nighhawks seen in North America, that being the Common Nighthawk, Lesser Nighthawk and the Antillean Nighthawk. The Common Nighthawk is the most common among this group, being seen throughout North America. The Lesser Nighthawk is found in the South-western states, its plumage seen as more brownish in colour than that of the Common Nighthawk. The Antillean Nighthawk covers the smallest range, seen only in the Florida Keys, this bird is much more common on the Caribbean Islands.

Nighthawks are insect eaters, usually seen in the evening and early morning skies when the insects are more active. With their long wings, these birds display aerobatics, displayed by no other bird species. At one time these birds were far more common in the towns and cities, this has changed over the last thirty years or so for different reasons.