Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Historically, this goatsucker probably nested on open barrens and burnt-over tracts left by forest and prairie fires (Terres 1987) and they can still be found nesting on glades far from human habitation. Beginning in the late 1800s (Widmann 1907), this species has increasingly nested on flat, gravel-covered roofs. Therefore, most nesting today is associated with cities and towns, and the increase in population of this species has coincided with urban development. In addition to the availability of rooftop nest sites, nighthawks may find foraging more successful in cities than in the wild because city lights attract large quantities of insects.

Code Frequency

Common Nighthawks are easily detected as they hunt insects overhead and they are readily identified by white wing bars and their "peent" calls. Even at night, they often can be seen overhead if illuminated by city lights. They also forage during daylight hours and thus were more likely to be detected by daytime Atlasers than more strictly nocturnal birds, such as Whip-poor-wills and owls. Because of their relative ease of detection, Common Nighthawks may have been present in low numbers or absent from blocks where they were not recorded. The confirmation of breeding by Common Nighthawks proved difficult during the Atlas Project, due to the inaccessibility of their rooftop nest sites. This species likely nested in most blocks in which it was observed, especially those near towns and cities.

Average Number of Birds / 100 stops

Distribution

Common Nighthawks were distributed statewide. Blocks where the species was recorded correspond to locations of cities. Some cities, of course, were missed due to random sampling. The density of blocks recording nighthawks generally increased toward the western Missouri border. There were many counties-in eastern, central and at the northern edge of Missouri-where nighthawks were not recorded.

Phenology

Compared to other goatsuckers, Common Nighthawks arrive rather late on their breeding grounds in Missouri. While the earliest individuals arrive in late April, peak migration occurs in mid-May (Robbins and Easterla 1992). Most nesting documented during the Atlas Project apparently commenced from late May through early June. Common Nighthawks raise only one brood per season (Harrison 1975).

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 221 (18.3%) of 1,207 blocks

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