Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
A mottled evening bird with long pointed wings, a white wing bar, and a booming courtship dive over open Florida landscapes.
Common Nighthawks migrate through Florida and breed in open habitats, including dry prairie, flat rooftops, sandy ground, and recently cleared sites. Their camouflage makes resting birds difficult to spot.
They feed on flying insects at dusk and around lights. Preserving open native ground and avoiding disturbance during nesting season improves breeding success.
Habitat:
Scrub and Dry Prairie, Grasslands and Agricultural Areas, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Catches moths, beetles, flying ants, mosquitoes, and other aerial insects in continuous flight.
Behavior:
Most active near dusk. It circles and glides over open areas, gives a nasal peent call, and males produce a booming sound during steep display dives.
Dawn and Dusk, Nighttime
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Spring through early fall at dusk over open fields, beaches, large parking areas, and flat rooftops.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Not federally listed, but long-term declines are linked to insect loss, habitat change, and fewer suitable nesting surfaces.
Safety Level:
Low
Safety Information:
Leave any bird sitting tightly on bare ground or a flat roof undisturbed. Keep pets and workers away from eggs or chicks.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes large numbers of flying insects during evening feeding flights.
Property Concerns:
Ground or rooftop nests are easy to overlook during maintenance, construction, pressure washing, or gravel-roof repairs.
Fun Fact:
- It belongs to the nightjar family, not the hawk family.
- The bill looks small, but the mouth opens very wide.
- Nighthawks place eggs directly on bare ground or roof gravel.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Do not move or destroy active nests, eggs, chicks, or adults.
Identification:
Slim bird with a large head, tiny bill, long pointed wings, and mottled brown-gray plumage. A bold white bar crosses each wing and shows clearly in flight.