Common in name, but rarely seen! The common nighthawk is a Florida Species of Greatest Conservation Need and member of a bird group called nightjars. These birds have unusually large eyes and mouths, allowing them to catch insects while flying during the early morning and early evening hours. During the day, nightjars rest by blending into their surroundings on the ground or in tree branches. Common nighthawks come to Florida in the summer to breed and can be found across most of the state. Inst

“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

It’s fascinating how Nighthawks migrate all the way from Brazil and Argentina to have babies and eat millions of bugs in Arizona’s 115° heat every year. Amazing animals! | Jeremy Johnson Photography