“The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) typically gives a nasal 'peent' in flight, but during the breeding season the males will make this unearthly 'booming' noise (@ 12s in the recording). The sound is entirely mechanical, made by flexing the wings in a steep dive and forcing air through the wing feathers. This display is mostly done to impress females, but sometimes also to intimidate intruders (me in this case).” – Jacob Saucier, Division of Birds #SummerRoadTrip #Playlist | Smithsonian Nat

54K views · 722 reactions | Common in name, but rarely seen! The...

8K views · 93 reactions | Learn about Montana's nocturnal bird, the nighthawk. | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks | Facebook

Animal of the Week ~ COMMON NIGHTHAWK *The Common Nighthawk is a medium-sized bird measuring 8.5- 9.5 inches in length with a wingspan of 20- 24 inches; on average they weigh 2-3.5 ounces *Like many members of the nightjar family, they have a characteristic tiny beak that hides how large its mouth can gape. They have large eyes and a flattened head that rests on a short neck. Like owls, their eyes include a tapetum, a mirror-like structure at the back of each eye that reflects light to the retin