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Many animals have a unique identifying characteristic that people often associate with those animals. For example, if you think of a Rhino, you probably think of his horn. as for a elephant, you probably imagine his tribe. The list goes on, from a rattlesnake’s stares at a Tiger stripes. birds also have unique features, such as a cockatoos mohawk or a pelican big bill. Some features, such as a comb or webbed feet, are quite common, while others are less common. Among the many birds in the New World, there is one that has caught your eye. You may have seen this particular bird flying through the sky during the last minutes of daylight. It can be recognized by one single feature, which is that this bird spreads its wings in flight. Meet the common night, the bird known for the white stripe on its wing.
The common nighthawk is common in the Americas and has unique physical and behavioral characteristics. In this article, we discuss the taxonomy, distribution, physical characteristics, diet, breeding behavior, vocalizations, and the conservation status and importance of the common nighthawk. We also answer some frequently asked questions about the common nighthawk, the bird known for the white stripe on its wing.
taxonomy
The common nighthawk (Chordeile minor) is a member of the nightjar family Caprimulgidae. In Ancient Greek, its scientific name Chordeiles translates to “an evening dance with music.” In the meantime, minor means “smaller” in Latin. The term nightjar is derived from a slang name for the European nightjar in 17th-century England. Although it was initially thought to be inextricably linked to the whip-poor will, scientists now consider them separate species.
At the moment, scientists currently recognize 9 subspecies of this bird, known by the white stripe on its wing. They include cm. pannamensis, cm. neotropical, cm. howelli, cm. hesperis, cm. aserriensis, cm. chapmani, cm. sennetti, cm. henryic, cm. minor. Each of these subspecies typically spans its own part of the Americas, aiding identification.
Distribution
During the summer the night hawks breed everywhere North America and Central America. You can find them as far north as south Alaska and as far south as the south Mexico. Come winter, the most common nighthawks migrate up to 4,200 miles to their wintering grounds in South America. As they migrate, they travel in loose groups that can include several thousand individuals. However, some subspecies live in the same habitats year round, such as those in the Caribbean. Given its wide distribution, the common nighthawk represents the most widely distributed nighthawk species. It lives in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, coastal and urban areas. Unlike most birds, you can find them at both high and low altitudes. In addition, the common nighthawk is one of the few birds that lives in recently scorched forests. In general, wherever you can find insects, you will find common night hawks.
Physical Characteristics
On average, common nighthawks are 8.7 to 9.8 inches long with a wingspan of 20 to 24 inches. They have a forked tail and long, pointed wings that allow them to make fast aerial maneuvers. Unlike other nightjars, nightjars do not have rictal bristles, which look like thin, stiff feathers near the bill. In addition, you can recognize a common nighthawk by its small bill, short legs and overall owl-like appearance. Their plumage on the primary feathers appears dark, while the undertail coverts appear white. On a casual assessment, their plumage appears striped with alternating bands of dark and white feathers. When perched, they usually lie parallel to a branch, but they also rest on the ground or on poles.
Dusk and dawn represent the times when you are most likely to see this bird, which is known for the white stripe on its wing. If you look up you can see the white stripe on the edge of each wing. Common nighthawks fly in a bobbing, erratic manner and are often mistaken for bats at a great distance. This resemblance has led some people to call them bull bats, given their larger size and bat-like flight. In addition, the common night hawk shows a striking resemblance to the Antillean night hawk. Many experts often confuse the two, which can only be distinguished based on their calls.
eating pattern
As an insectivore, the common nighthawk mainly consumes a wide variety of insects. You can see this bird, known for the white stripe on its wing, hunting at dusk or early morning. In rare cases, nighthawks also hunt at night, but this is uncommon even on clear nights. Common nighthawks usually catch flying insects in the air and hunt at high altitudes or in open spaces. Because of their insectivorous diet, they are also known as bugeaters, especially in the American Midwest. Generally opportunistic hunters, common nighthawks will eat anything they can catch. However, their favorite food is mosquitoes, moths and grasshoppers, like dragonflies, to fly, wasps and beetles. They rely on their keen eyesight to spot prey and can fly up to 15 miles per hour to chase their target. When drinking, they fly low over a body of water and drink mid-flight.
breeding behavior
Unlike some
other birds, common nighthawks usually only produce one clutch of eggs per breeding season. Usually they mate for life and can reuse nests every year. When a female is courting, a male nighthawk will dive and flap its wings together. When mating, the female will choose where to build their nest. Common nighthawks nest in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, clearings, scorched ground, or rocky outcrops. They do not build nests, but lay their eggs directly on gravel or soft moss or lichen. Sometimes they also build their nests on flat roofs in urban areas. Both females and males incubate the eggs, although females are the primary incubators. When not breeding, the males sit in a nearby tree or perch and watch over the nest.
vocalizations
You can usually hear the night hawk shortly after sunset. Their vocalizations and songs sound the same and resemble a screeching sound fine or beer sound. During the breeding seasons, males will emit a sound like: alk when you’re courting a woman. Males also use their wings to make a booming sound while diving to impress potential mates. When defending their nest, females make a rasping sound. In addition, when defending their territory, males can flap their wings together or even dive at intruders.
Conservation status and importance
Currently, the IUCN lists the common nighthawk as a species of least concern. That said, some local populations are slowly declining, largely due to habitat loss and predation. Because common nighthawks nest on flat surfaces, a lack of flat roofs in urban areas can affect their ability to breed. In addition, they are also threatened by climate change, aerial hazards and certain diseases and parasites.
Given their widespread distribution, common nighthawks figure prominently in the local traditions of several areas. Nebraska was formerly known as the Bugeater State due to the large number of common night hawks. In addition, sports teams at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln used to be called Bugeaters.
Common Nighthawks FAQ
What animals prey on common moths?
Due to their habit of nesting on the ground, several species prey on the eggs of common nighthawks. Predators include: skunks, possums, and raccoonsas well as domestic cats. In addition, several birds of prey prey on adult nighthawks, including: eagles, peregrine falcons, hawks and kestrels.
How long do common moths live?
On average, night hawks live between 4 and 5 years in the wild.
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