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The lesser nighthawk is known for its large mouth and small feet. Its natural brown and gray colors blend into its surroundings, making it hard to spot in the daytime while it sleeps. This long-winged and long-tailed species exhibits slight differences between the male and female.
Nighthawks prefer to nest in edge and early successional habitats, making them one of only a handful of birds which will live and hunt in burned or clearcut patches of forest. [15] The common nighthawk is drawn into urban built-up areas by insects. [5] The common nighthawk is the only nighthawk occurring over the majority of northern North America.
The least nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus), at 6.3 inches (15–19 cm) and 23 grams (0.81 oz), is the smallest of all Caprimulgiformes, while the Nacunda nighthawk (Chordeiles nacunda) is one of the largest nightjars in the world measuring at 11-13 inches (28–33 cm).
The female incubates the eggs during the day while both parents incubate it at night for approximately 19 to 21 days. The male is primarily in charge of protecting the nest from any predators or other intruders. the parents feed the chicks mainly insects until they are able to leave the nest in about 20 to 21 days.
Species that live in the far north, such as the European nightjar or the common nighthawk, migrate southward with the onset of winter. Geolocators placed on European nightjars in southern England found they wintered in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [9] Other species make shorter migrations. [8]
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The Antillean nighthawk migrates out of its breeding range after raising its young. It still remains unknown where the birds spend the winter. The two eggs are laid directly on bare ground - there is no nest. Incubation is performed largely by the female and lasts for about 20 days. Young fledge at about 20 days of age.
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Iowa. Common nighthawk, Chordeiles ...