Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor (Forster, JR, 1771)

Caprimulgidae — Nightjars

Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, breeds across North America and Middle America and spends the nonbreeding season in South America. It is a bird of the nightjar family, and it is most readily noticed in flight rather than when resting. The species has a dark, patterned plumage that helps it blend in by day, along with a small bill and a very wide mouth. It has a large head, big eyes, long wings that project past the tail when folded, white wing patches, and barred underparts.

Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae — Nightjars
Breeding range: North America, Middle America: widespread
Nonbreeding range: South America