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Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Bird · family Caprimulgidae · order Caprimulgiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Common Nighthawk
Photo: Gavin Keefe Schaefer, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
49 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
9 years[4]

The Common Nighthawk is a bird in the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act and NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Common Nighthawk a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. Its US national rank for breeding birds is N5B, also Secure[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. NatureServe also notes that survey data show a decline over the long term, though the decline has been smaller in recent years[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B (Secure (breeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Common Nighthawk lives

NatureServe lists the Common Nighthawk as native in 49 US states and territories, including the District of Columbia[3]. State conservation ranks vary a lot from place to place[11]. They are ranks, not a promise that you will see the bird there[11].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S4BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S2BWIVermont: native, state rank S1BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S1BNHWashington: native, state rank S4BWAIdaho: native, state rank S3BIDMontana: native, state rank S5BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRBNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S3MINew York: native, state rank S2BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S2B,S5MMAOregon: native, state rank S5BORNevada: native, state rank S3BNVWyoming: native, state rank S5B,S5NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5BSDIowa: native, state rank S5BIAIndiana: native, state rank S4BINOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S3B,S4MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S3B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S1BCTRhode Island: native, state rank S1BRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S3UTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: native, state rank S5NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRBMOKentucky: native, state rank S4BKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S2BWVVirginia: native, state rank S4VAMaryland: native, state rank S1BMDDelaware: native, state rank S1BDEArizona: native, state rank S3BAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4B,S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S5BKSArkansas: native, state rank S2BARTennessee: native, state rank S4TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S2BNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S4NDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNRBOKLouisiana: native, state rank S4BLAMississippi: native, state rank S4BMSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S3GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4BTXFlorida: native, state rank S5BFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (49 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
ArizonaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
ArkansasS2BImperiled (breeding)
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5Secure
ConnecticutS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
DelawareS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
District of ColumbiaS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaS5BSecure (breeding)
GeorgiaS3Vulnerable
IdahoS3BVulnerable (breeding)
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
IowaS5BSecure (breeding)
KansasS5BSecure (breeding)
KentuckyS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
LouisianaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MaineS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MarylandS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
MassachusettsS2B,S5MImperiled (breeding), Secure (migrant)
MichiganS3Vulnerable
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MissouriSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MontanaS5BSecure (breeding)
NebraskaS5Secure
NevadaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
New HampshireS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
New JerseyS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS2BImperiled (breeding)
North CarolinaS2BImperiled (breeding)
North DakotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OregonS5BSecure (breeding)
PennsylvaniaS3B,S4MVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (migrant)
Rhode IslandS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaS5BSecure (breeding)
TennesseeS4Apparently Secure
TexasS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
UtahS3Vulnerable
VermontS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
WashingtonS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
West VirginiaS2BImperiled (breeding)
WisconsinS2BImperiled (breeding)
WyomingS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records habitats such as conifer woodland, shrubland, savanna, grassland, old fields, cropland and suburban areas[12]. The bird likes open and semi-open places, including mountains and plains and the edges of cities and towns[13]. It nests on bare ground in open areas, and in some places on flat gravel roofs[13]. In the southern United States it prefers sandy soil[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Common Nighthawk eats flying insects, and NatureServe records its diet as 100% invertebrates[14][15]. It hunts both well above the ground and low down, and it may feed near artificial lights[14]. Adults are about 24 cm (9 in) long[16]. They weigh about 64 g[17]. A typical clutch is 2[18]. The female incubates the clutch for about 19 days[19][18][20]. The parents feed the young insects, and the young are independent in about 30 days[14][19]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 10 years, and the oldest known banded bird was at least 9 years old[21][4].

Trait Value
Typical length[16] 24 cm (9 in)
Typical adult weight[17] 64 g (2.3 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[21] 10 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 9 years 0 months
Litter or clutch size[18] 2
Gestation or incubation[20] 19 days
Food habits[22] Invertivore
Migration[23] long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[15]

  • 100% invertebrates

When to look for it

NatureServe records its activity as crepuscular, which means most active around dawn and dusk[24]. It is also active at night and can be seen by day[25][24]. NatureServe calls it a long-distance migrant[23]. Migrating birds pass through Costa Rica from September to early November and in March and April[26]. In Colombia, notes describe fall migrants from late August to late November[26]. In the US, observation records peak in May, June and August, which shows when people report the bird, not how many there are[27].

January: 61 recordsJanFebruary: 32 recordsFebMarch: 181 recordsMarApril: 40,440 recordsAprMay: 194,194 recordsMayJune: 154,129 recordsJunJuly: 108,488 recordsJulAugust: 158,033 recordsAugSeptember: 119,809 recordsSepOctober: 12,046 recordsOctNovember: 456 recordsNovDecember: 112 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January61
February32
March181
April40,440
May194,194
June154,129
July108,488
August158,033
September119,809
October12,046
November456
December112

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Common Nighthawk as present in 187 park units[28]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 163 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Colorado[29]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Common Nighthawk endangered?
No. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure[2].
Where does the Common Nighthawk live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. It uses open and semi-open places such as grassland, savanna and open conifer forest[13].
What does the Common Nighthawk eat?
It eats flying insects such as mosquitoes, moths, beetles and flies[14]. Its diet is recorded as 100% invertebrates[15].
How big is a Common Nighthawk?
Adults are about 24 cm (9 in) long[16]. They weigh about 64 g[17].
How long does a Common Nighthawk live?
The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 10 years[21]. The oldest known banded bird was at least 9 years old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Common Nighthawk is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Common Nighthawk: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Common Nighthawk as native in 49 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Common Nighthawk from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 9 years 0 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is a bird in the family Caprimulgidae, order Caprimulgiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B (Secure (breeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Common Nighthawk is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe notes on trend for Common Nighthawk. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Common Nighthawk (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Common Nighthawk: Woodland - conifer, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Old field, Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard, Aerial. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Common Nighthawk. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Common Nighthawk. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 100% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  16. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 24 cm (9 in). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 64 g (2.3 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  19. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Common Nighthawk. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 19 days. AnAge
  21. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 10 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  22. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe migration category for Common Nighthawk: long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  24. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Nocturnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  25. NatureServe notes on phenology for Common Nighthawk. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Common Nighthawk. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Common Nighthawk in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. NPSpecies park lists recording Common Nighthawk as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  29. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Common Nighthawk: Texas, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Colorado. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Gavin Keefe Schaefer, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.