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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor) B |
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RANGE: Breeds from southern Yukon and southern Mackenzie to
central Quebec and southern Labrador, south to southern
California, southern Nevada, southern Arizona, Texas, the Gulf
Coast, Florida, Mexico, and Central America. Winters in South
America.
STATUS: Common; population is declining in some regions.
HABITAT: Inhabits varied habitats throughout most of North
America. Prefers open habitats such as grasslands, sparse woods,
or towns and cities. Also inhabits areas with plowed fields, and
gravel beaches, as well as railroad right-of-ways and barren
areas with rocky soils. In , associated primarily with
barren areas, such as clearcuts, gravel bars and rangeland,
rather than in specific habitats.
NEST: Lays eggs on flat substrates such as gravelly ground,
burned-over areas, gravel and asphalt rooftops, dry barren
plains, bare rock, and partially vegetated soil, but always in
the open.
FOOD: Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal; sweeps flying insects,
from tiny gnats to large moths, out of the air. Eats large
quantities of mosquitoes and flying ants as well as beetles,
plant lice, grasshoppers, locusts, horseflies, and other
insects.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, DeGraff et al. 1980, Forbush and
May 1955, Johnsgard 1979, Miller 1999, Shunk 2004, Tate and Tate
1982, Terres 1980. |
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