Lesser Nighthawk
Chordeiles acutipennis
Long-winged nocturnal bird which catches insects in flight often around dawn and dusk. Found in shrubby open areas. Intricate brown, buffy, and gray patterning with white patches near wingtips. Very similar to Common Nighthawk, best distinguished by the position of white wing patch: closer to wingtip on Lesser, closer to base of wing on Common, but this difference can be very difficult to judge. Also typically paler than Common with more golden buffy tones. During the day, roosts on the ground or on a tree branch.
Identification
The lesser nighthawk is known for its large mouth and small feet. Its natural brown and gray colors blend into its surroundings, making it hard to spot in the daytime while it sleeps. This long-winged and long-tailed species exhibits slight differences between the male and female. Male lesser nighthawks have a prominent white bar at the end of their tails and wing tips while females have a more cream color bar on their wing tips and lack the stripe on their tail. Both males and females feature a white v-shaped mark on their neck. Although its mouth is large, the lesser nighthawk's beak is short and curved.
Taxonomy
Birds of the order Caprimulgiformes resemble owls and are primarily nocturnal insectivores. This group often has reduced feet, large mouths, and a camouflage coloring to blend in with their environment. The family Caprimulgidae, also known as nightjars, consists of over 70 insectivorous birds which are commonly classified by their long pointed wings. Their habitat and distribution is very broad range. Lesser nighthawks belong to the Chordeiles genus which contains 6 other species of nighthawk such as the common nighthawk, Antillean nighthawk, and sand-coloured nighthawk. The classification of nightjars are constantly being changed and renewed in attempt to group species with their closest relation.
- Scientific name
- Chordeiles acutipennis
- Authority
- (Hermann, 1783)
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Genus
- Chordeiles
Range and habitat
Native to southern North America, the lesser nighthawk inhabits regions of arid, dry deserts or grasslands. Unlike the common nighthawk, it shows a preference to open, drier habitats with lower elevation. It typically chooses habitats that have large swarms of insects as that is its primary food source. It migrates in the fall and spends winters around southern Central America and northern South America. The lesser nighthawk will then return back to the southern United States for spring and summer to breed.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Indian Peafowl
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Epinecrophylla haematonota
Scarce antwren found mainly in lowland rainforest, but ranges up into mountains in the northern part of its range. Male has mostly gray underparts, black-and-white spots on throat, and whitish or tan spots and bars on wings; back color varies geographically from brown to chestnut. Female is brown, lacks throat markings, and has less distinct wing markings. Dull brown tail distinguishes it from Rufous-tailed Stipplethroat. Male’s checkered throat and female’s lack of throat markings help separate it from Ornate Stipplethroat. Almost always encountered in mixed-species understory flocks with antshrikes and other antwrens. Song is a high-pitched, descending trill; also often gives a dry rattle.
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