There are an estimated 16 million nighthawks alive but the species is in steep decline. The common nighthawk’s range covers most of the United States and Canada. Nighthawks Keep Booming Audibly, but Their Population Is Doing the Opposite Declining The gravel rooftops of apartments and businesses are a popular spot for the nighthawks but unfortunately, these rooftops are being used more often due to urban sprawl and agriculture. The bird’s eggs lay on the surface of the soil or rock and can sometimes be found on top of stumps. Their nesting sites are at ground level but they’re not the common physical nest you’d expect. Common Nighthawk ChicksĬommon nighthawks are mostly found out in the open country but can also be seen flying around in cities and suburbs. The chicks will take flight when they are around 21 days old. The chicks are fed by both the male and female through the regurgitation of insects. The incubation period lasts about 19 days, and the female will adjust her position on the egg to make sure the sun’s rays stay on her back. After mating, the female lays around two eggs. He then makes croaking sounds to impress his mate. The male nighthawk also puffs out his throat, displaying a white patch. The male will eventually land, flashing and wiggling his tail at his female. The sound can be heard following this link: ( ) Then the male bird dives through the air towards the ground, creating a booming sound when air rushes under its wings. During their courtship the male nighthawk will hover making a “peent” sound. They are referred to as bull-bats due to the bat like nature of their flying. ? by Edward Hopper Nighthawks and Their Mating “Boom” Noise Common NighthawkĬommon nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, or bull-bats are most active from half an hour before sunset until an hour after sunset, and again starting an hour before sunrise. All uniquely sounding birds, but the booming sound of the mating common nighthawk is something to behold. Known as the nightjar family, it includes the common pauraque, the eastern whip-poor-will, and chuck-will’s-widow. It is also the name given to birds within the Caprimulgidae family. Nighthawks isn’t just a famous modernist painting by Edward Hopper. Before I Explain Their Boom… An Overview of Nighthawks They’ll say, “Hey, I heard the sound of a rhythmic boom.”, and then I say, “Oh, that’s the sound of the mating courtship of the common nighthawk!”. Then, we stand across from each other, squawking and chirping much to the delight of passers-by… Sometimes, the sound they ask me about is very clear and only one bird can be the culprit. I try to pick up the cadence of the sounds and run through the usual suspects. Then the person asking the question starts to hoot, cluck, chirp, or squeak. I am often asked, “Do you know what makes this sound?”. What was that noise? There it goes again! Is someone beating on a plastic trash can lid?
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