Category Archives: Goatsuckers

Common Nighthawk in Marquette County Wisconsin on May 15, 2016

By | | ,
5 Comments

On a hike today I accidentally flushed a Common Nighthawk. It perched on a log nearby and posed nicely. What a nice surprise to find. I did not flush the bird so I do not have any flight shots. I’m sure now thinking about it their is probably a nest in the area. Images were taken on May 15, 2016.

___rIMG_9441_cr

Common Nighthawk

Binomial name: Chordeiles minor

Category: Goatsuckers

Size: 9.5” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 2.2 oz

Cool facts: These birds are typically seen diving in loop patterns in early mornings or evenings. They forage over open areas near woods and over wetlands for insects. This birds breeding grounds are from the entire US into northern Canada and they migrate to South America in the winter months.

___rIMG_9485_cr

___rIMG_9467_cr

___rIMG_9342_cr

Common Nighthawk at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha Wisconsin on September 7, 2015

By | | ,
1 Comment

I checked out the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha for birds this morning. I was surprised how quiet the morning was and walked a large part of the nature center property. The highlight was a Common Nighthawk resting in a good size partially dead ash tree. It never moved and hardly opened its eyes while I was there for just a minute. It was a first for me not seeing this species in flight. Just common yard birds were only other birds around. This image taken today is typical of what they do. They rest during the day in a branched tree or on a fence post and they are hard to see as their colors make them blend in. Image taken on September 7, 2015.

__rIMG_9113_cr

Common Nighthawk

Binomial name: Chordeiles minor

Category: Goatsuckers

Size: 9.5” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 2.2 oz

Cool facts: These birds are typically seen diving in loop patterns in early mornings or evenings. They forage over open areas near woods and over wetlands for insects. This birds breeding grounds are from the entire US into northern Canada and they migrate to South America in the winter months.

Common Nighthawk from a distance

Common Nighthawk from a distance