Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Overview

The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is a species of Nightjar (family Caprimulgidae) in the order of Nightbirds (Caprimulgiformes) of bird (class Aves).

Description

A medium-sized nocturnal bird, slender, with long pointed wings. Grey, black and brown body, short legged with a tiny bill and a prominent white wing patch.

Range

A long-distance migrant. Found generally in open country thoughout the Americas, breeding in Canada and the United States and wintering in South America.