Listen to the common nighthawk
Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.
About the common nighthawk
The common nighthawk is a bird in the family Caprimulgidae (order Caprimulgiformes). Its conservation status on the IUCN Red List is “least concern”. Adults weigh around 79 g.
What does the common nighthawk sound like?
Bird vocalisations are usually divided into songs – longer, often complex phrases used to defend territory and attract mates, sung mostly by males in the breeding season – and calls: short, simple sounds for contact, alarm, begging or flight.
The recordings here are labelled as flight call. Listen for differences in rhythm, pitch and repetition – the spectrum display makes it easy to see whether a sound is a pure whistle (a thin line), a harsh call (a broad band) or a trill (rapid repeated marks).
From Wikipedia
The common nighthawk or bullbat (Chordeiles minor) is a medium-sized crepuscular or nocturnal bird of the Americas within the nightjar (Caprimulgidae) family, whose presence and identity are best revealed by its vocalization. Typically dark (gray, black and brown), displaying cryptic colouration and intricate patterns, this bird is difficult to spot with the naked eye during the day. This bird is most conspicuous when in its buoyant and erratic flight. The most remarkable feature of this aerial insectivore is its small beak that belies the massiveness of its mouth. Some claim appearance similarities to owls. With its horizontal stance and short legs, the common nighthawk does not travel frequently on the ground, instead preferring to perch horizontally, parallel to branches, on posts, on the ground or on a roof. The males of this species may roost together but the bird is primarily solitary. The common nighthawk shows variability in territory size.
More from the family Caprimulgidae
European nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeus
Common poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Indian nightjar
Caprimulgus asiaticus
Jungle nightjar
Caprimulgus indicus
Savanna nightjar
Caprimulgus affinis
Jerdon's nightjar
Caprimulgus atripennis
Pauraque
Nyctidromus albicollis
Eastern whip-poor-will
Antrostomus vociferus
Fiery-necked nightjar
Caprimulgus pectoralis
Brown nightjar
Veles binotatus
Frequently asked questions
What does a common nighthawk sound like?
You can hear 1 recording of the common nighthawk on this page, including its flight call. Bird vocalisations are usually divided into songs – longer, often complex phrases used to defend territory and attract mates, sung mostly by males in the breeding season – and calls: short, simple sounds for contact, alarm, begging or flight.
Is the common nighthawk endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the common nighthawk as “least concern”.
What family does the common nighthawk belong to?
The common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) belongs to the family Caprimulgidae in the order Caprimulgiformes.
Sources & credits
- Flight call · Departamento de La Paz (Near La Florida, Opatoro), Honduras by Oliver Komar – CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Wikidata Q943329 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Common nighthawk – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo by Gavin Keefe Schaefer – CC BY 2.0