The Common Nighthawk is not a hawk at all but a nightjar that forages at dusk and dawn on the wing, performing erratic, buoyant flight to catch flying insects. Males perform dramatic courtship dives at dusk, producing a booming 'vroooom' with their wings as they pull up at the bottom. It has adapted to nesting on flat gravel rooftops in cities.
Best time to see a Common Nighthawk
The best time to see a Common Nighthawk is May–July, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 12,409 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Common Nighthawk? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Common Nighthawk sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Common Nighthawk?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.