Common Nighthawk (Yukon Species of Conservation Concern Guide)

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Conservation Concern ⁴

Despite their ‘common’ name, declines approaching 50% have been recorded for Common Nighthawks across Canada in the last ten years. Substantial threats likely occur at the southern edge of their breeding range, and on their winter range in South America. They are late migrants, usually arriving in Yukon in the first week of June. Two eggs are laid directly on soil, sand, gravel or bare rock. Nestlings remain in the nest until late summer. Recognized by its loud, peent flight call and the male’s unusual diving sound display; by its long, narrow wings with a bold white bar across the primaries; and by its pointed, slightly forked tail.

Description ⁴

Common Nighthawks are medium- sized birds, with mottled, dark brown plumage. They have long, slender wings and a long tail. The head is large and broad, with large eyes and a wide mouth. In ight, adults show a white patch on the wings.

Typical Habitat ⁴

Common Nighthawks nest in a variety of habitats such as mature pine forests, old burned forests, open forests, and wetlands. Wetlands, lakes and rivers can be an important source of abundant ying insects. They are also known to nest on sand dunes and beaches, forest clearings including recently logged areas, rocky outcrops, peatlands, marshes, lakeshores, river banks, gravel roads and quarries, and the open areas around airstrips.

Potential Threats ⁴

Reductions in insect prey due to pesticides. Habitat loss and degradation. Human activities that result in increased numbers of predators such as domestic cats, ravens, gulls, and foxes. Collisions with motor vehicles, particularly on gravel roads.

Global: G5 (Secure)
Canada: N4B (Apparently Secure) Yukon: S2B (Imperilled)
COSEWIC Status: Threatened (2007)

Did You Know? ⁴

Common Nighthawks actively pursue ying insects in the long summer twilight. The sexes can be distinguished by the colour of their throat: white in males and buff in females. Common Nighthawks are long- distance migrants, wintering in South America. During the breeding season, males perform an aerial courtship display. They dive straight down from a great height, then pull up—the air rushing through their wingtips at the bottom of the dive makes a deep booming sound.

Sources and Credits

More Info

Range Map

iNaturalist.ca Map

Animal	Bird
Bird	Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Color	brown, grey, white

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