Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis)

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Image of a Lesser Nighthawk in its natural habitat
Birds Nighthawk

Introduction

The Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) is a nocturnal member of the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae. It is adapted to open, dry environments and is most active around dusk, dawn and during the night, when it catches flying insects in sustained, buoyant flight. The species occurs across much of the Americas, with migratory movements most evident in northern populations. (allaboutbirds.org)

Physical Description

The Lesser Nighthawk is a relatively small, long-winged nightjar, measuring approximately 21–24 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 42–47 cm and a typical weight of 45–75 g. Its plumage is cryptic, combining grey-brown, buff and whitish markings that help it blend into bare ground, gravel, sand and scrub during the day. The underparts are generally buffish and finely barred with dark brown.

The wings are long and pointed, with a conspicuous pale or white patch on the outer wing. Adult males usually have a clear white throat and a pale subterminal tail band, while females are generally buffier, with a less distinct throat patch and less prominent white markings. The sexes are otherwise similar. Juveniles tend to be duller and more heavily buff-marked than adults. (audubon.org)

Range and Habitat

The Lesser Nighthawk breeds from the southwestern United States and Mexico through Central America and much of South America. Northern populations are migratory, with some birds moving south into Mexico, Central America and northern South America after breeding. Other populations, particularly in tropical regions, are resident or make shorter seasonal movements. The species is not endemic to a single country or region. (allaboutbirds.org)

Typical habitats include deserts, arid scrub, dry washes, open woodland, savannah, grassland, agricultural areas and other sparsely vegetated landscapes. It generally favours open ground with scattered vegetation rather than dense forest. On wintering grounds in Central America, it may also use marshes, mangroves, beaches and open lowland woodland. Most records are from low elevations, although it has been recorded at higher elevations in suitable dry habitats. (allaboutbirds.org)

Geographic variation is recognised across the species’ broad range, with differences in size, colour and pattern among regional populations and subspecies. These variations should be interpreted cautiously because individual plumage, lighting and wear can make field identification difficult.

Behaviour and Diet

The Lesser Nighthawk is primarily crepuscular and nocturnal. It often rests motionless on the ground, on a low branch or on a flat roof during daylight, relying on its mottled plumage for concealment. Activity usually increases as the evening light fades, although birds may also forage before sunrise and occasionally during the day.

It feeds mainly by aerial hawking. The bird flies with its broad mouth open, taking moths, beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, mosquitoes, flying ants, termites and other insects in flight. It may also make short upward flights from the ground to capture passing prey and can gather around street lights, lakes or other places where insects concentrate. (allaboutbirds.org)

During courtship, the male may follow the female in flight, display his white throat and give trilling or whinnying calls. Unlike the Common Nighthawk, the Lesser Nighthawk does not normally produce the distinctive booming sound made by the Common Nighthawk’s wings during a steep dive. Calls are often infrequent and may be heard mainly during the breeding season. (audubon.org)

The female does not construct a nest. She usually lays two eggs directly on bare ground, often among small stones or beside a low bush, branch or other feature that provides shade and camouflage. Incubation lasts about 18–19 days and is carried out mostly or entirely by the female. The downy young are mobile soon after hatching, and both parents provide food, including regurgitated insects. Adults may use distraction displays, such as feigning injury, to draw predators away from the young. (allaboutbirds.org)

Identification Tips

  • Look for a long-winged, pointed-winged bird flying low over desert scrub, dry washes, open woodland or other sparsely vegetated areas, especially just before dusk.
  • The flight is buoyant and somewhat erratic, with repeated gliding and shallow wingbeats. The bird may appear moth-like against the evening sky.
  • A pale wing patch flashes prominently in flight. On the Lesser Nighthawk, this patch is positioned relatively close to the wingtip compared with that of the Common Nighthawk.
  • The Lesser Nighthawk is often slightly smaller and warmer or more buff-coloured than the Common Nighthawk, with buffy rather than distinctly white undertail coverts.
  • A male may show a conspicuous white throat and a pale tail band. Females are usually more buff and subdued.
  • When perched or resting on the ground, the finely mottled grey-brown plumage and relatively short bill can make the bird extremely difficult to detect.

The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is the most important potential confusion species in areas where both occur. Wing-patch position, overall tone, size and undertail colour can help, but these features may be difficult to judge in poor light or at a distance. (ebird.org)

Conservation Status

The Lesser Nighthawk is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It remains locally common in parts of its range, and North American monitoring indicates a generally stable or increasing regional population, although these regional results should not be treated as a complete measure of the global population. (datazone.birdlife.org)

Potential local pressures include the loss or degradation of open desert and scrub habitat through urban expansion, intensive agriculture, development and other land-use changes. Disturbance at ground nests, particularly from vehicles, livestock, pets and recreational activity, may also reduce breeding success in some areas. Conservation measures include maintaining connected areas of native open habitat, protecting known breeding sites, limiting disturbance during the nesting season and improving knowledge of population trends across Central and South America.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Lesser Nighthawk live?

It occurs from the southwestern United States and Mexico through Central America and much of South America. It uses deserts, dry scrub, open woodland, savannah, grassland, agricultural land and other open habitats.

Is the Lesser Nighthawk migratory?

Northern populations are migratory and move south after breeding, while many tropical populations are resident or make shorter seasonal movements. The extent of migration varies across the species’ range.

What does the Lesser Nighthawk eat?

It feeds mainly on flying insects, including moths, beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, mosquitoes, flying ants and termites. Most prey is caught in the air, although the bird may also take insects during short flights from the ground.

Where does the Lesser Nighthawk build its nest?

It does not build a conventional nest. The female lays the eggs directly on bare ground, often among gravel or beside a small bush, branch or other feature that provides shade and camouflage.

How can the Lesser Nighthawk be distinguished from the Common Nighthawk?

The Lesser Nighthawk is usually smaller and more buff-coloured. Its pale wing patch is generally closer to the wingtip, and its undertail coverts are more buffy. These differences can be difficult to assess in low light.

Is the Lesser Nighthawk endangered?

No. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern, although local populations may be affected by habitat loss, degradation and disturbance at ground nests.

References

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