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Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Common Nighthawk - Chordeiles minor

  • Common Nighthawk
  • Common Nighthawk
  • Common Nighthawk
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Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5B

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
PIF: none
 

General Description
Sexes similar in size and plumage. Has flat head with large eyes; small bill but large mouth. Long, slender wings and white spot on primaries. Pronounced barring on abdomen and sides.

General Distribution
Montana Range



Western Hemisphere Range

 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 1944

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

Breeding
(direct evidence "B")

Breeding
(indirect evidence "b")

No evidence of Breeding
(transient "t")

Overwintering
(regular observations "W")

Overwintering
(at least one obs. "w")


 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



Migration
In the Bozeman area, normal migration periods are June 3 to 15 and September 1 to 25, with the fall peak on September 10.

Habitat
During breeding season, habitat includes coastal sand dunes and beaches, woodland clearings, prairies and plains, and flat gravel rooftops of city buildings. During times of migration, habitat includes farmlands, river valleys, marshes, and coastal dunes.

Food Habits
Diet consists solely of flying insects.

Ecology
Near Fortine, the numbers were reported to be much reduced from 1940 to 1975.

Reproductive Characteristics
Common Nighthawks nest from mid-June to mid-August. Number of broods uncertain, with two eggs per brood. Incubation period 19 days. Young able to fly 21 days after hatch.

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Citation for data on this website:
Common Nighthawk — Chordeiles minor.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_ABNTA02020.aspx
 
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