Common Nighthawk Archives - Window to Wildlife

Common Nighthawk at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on August 27, 2022

I made a stop at Greenfield Park this morning and the bird of the day there was a Common Nighthawk. It was perched in a deciduous tree giving great looks. While I watched it, it preened a short time, nice to see it with its eyes open. These days right now, mid to the end of August this species migrates through the state and looking up into the sky before dark you may see them flying in all directions but slowly moving south. Not uncommon to see 100 at a time. I heard peak day for migration is August 25th. I saw many last night over Waukesha County up high in the sky just looking for a few minutes. It was a day of sun with passing clouds, temps around 80 degrees, low winds. Images were on August 27, 2022.

The Common Nighthawk perched pretty…

Some of that tail showing…

Some preening…

More preening…

Another shot…

Common Nighthawk in Marquette County Wisconsin on May 15, 2016

By admin | May 15, 2016 - 4:42 pm |May 15, 2016 Bird Categories, Goatsuckers

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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.

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

By admin | September 7, 2015 - 4:27 pm |September 12, 2015 Bird Categories, Goatsuckers

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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.