Wildlife & Related

[newracer]

Nighthawk

[Hummer]

Somebody help me identify this little guy. A youngun, about the size of a Robin, just sitting/sleeping on a stack of pallets. He let me get very close before reacting. Not sure if he was hurt, ill or just too young to fly away.

I thought it was a young Osprey chick but now not so sure after looking at some photos.

Anybody know for sure?

Nighthawk

Yes, it's a Common Nighthawk, an adult. Beautiful photo of a great bird, BG!

Nighthawks aren't hawks but are insectivores related to swifts. They nap during mid day and fly at dawn and dusk and some after dark. The best mosquito control! I sometimes find them roosting on fences, on the ground or on a graveled road. They're often approachable because they are confident in their camouflage. In the evenings we watch them swoop low around the yard and over the farm along with swifts and swallows. Nighthawks show off their graceful flight with a 24" wingspan and large white patches on the slender wing.

A similar bird, smaller and less common is the Common Poorwill. Sometimes you can spot them in flocks of nighthawks. Here's one I photographed sleeping on the ground in our yard. They can be easily overlooked because of their cryptic camo plumage.