Lesser Nighthawk

Identification

The lesser nighthawk is a small, cryptic nightjar with plumage that closely resembles its larger relative, the common nighthawk. Look for a slightly smaller frame, a less deeply forked tail, and warmer, more buffy coloration throughout. Both sexes display a distinctive white V-shaped mark on the neck. Males are identifiable by a prominent white bar at the end of their tails and wing tips, while females show a creamier bar on the wing tips and lack the tail stripe. Despite its relatively small, short, and curved bill, this species possesses a remarkably large mouth—a distinctive feature of all nightjars—equipped with fine hairs that help trap insects in mid-flight.

Range & Habitat

The lesser nighthawk inhabits a vast range throughout the Americas, with seven recognized subspecies spanning from the southwestern United States through Central America and into South America as far south as northern Argentina. This species migrates seasonally, breeding in the southern United States during spring and summer before moving south to winter in Central America and northern South America. Unlike the common nighthawk, the lesser nighthawk shows a strong preference for open, arid, and dry environments at lower elevations—deserts and grasslands where large insect swarms provide abundant food. The bird selects habitats specifically based on insect availability.

Behaviour & Diet

The lesser nighthawk is a nocturnal insectivore that captures prey during swift, buoyant flight characterized by butterfly-like fluttering and short glides, typically hunting low to the ground near lights where insects congregate. Its diet consists primarily of flies, mosquitoes, moths, and June bugs; the bird is an opportunistic feeder that readily adapts to whatever prey is most abundant and easily captured, foraging either individually or in groups depending on the season. This species is notably quieter than the common nighthawk, though males produce distinctive toadlike trills during breeding season—sequences lasting 7–13 seconds that may extend beyond 3 minutes—along with calls resembling a low, gurgled laugh.

Best Time & Places to See It

The lesser nighthawk is best observed during the breeding season in spring and summer across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, where it returns to breed. As a nocturnal species, look for it at dusk and throughout the night in open desert and grassland habitats. Dawn and dusk periods offer the best viewing opportunities when the bird becomes more active. The species' preference for areas with abundant insects means searching near lights at night—where insects swarm—significantly increases your chances of observation.

Photography Tips

Photographing the lesser nighthawk presents challenges due to its nocturnal habits and cryptic coloration. Seek out birds during twilight hours when available light is better but the bird remains active. Since this species flies low and often near lights where insects gather, position yourself near such areas after dark with appropriate lighting. The bird's buoyant, butterfly-like flight pattern with glides and flutters requires a fast shutter speed to freeze movement. Focus on capturing the distinctive field marks: the white V-shaped neck mark, the sex-specific tail and wing patterns, and the characteristic large mouth. Remember that during the day, roosting birds are extremely difficult to locate due to their brown and gray camouflage blending seamlessly with desert substrates.