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Common Nighthawk

common nighthawk on branch.jpg

The amazing camouflage of the Common Nighthawk | 07/24/2022

Description

The Common Nighthawk is a master of camouflage. This bird will often perch on a branch like in the above photo and sit motionless for hours. It has a bark-like coloring on its body with striping on its chest. When in flight it has distinct white wing bars that make it easy to spot even in the evening light.


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First observation

📆 06/05/20
📍 San Antonio, Texas

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Male
Female
Unknown
📸

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🎙️

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Experiences & anecdotes

05/11/2023 - I wanted to see this bird for the longest time. The first time I saw it I was on a walk through my neighborhood and my partner noticed it perched on the roof of one of the houses. We were ecstatic! This bird sits low and parallel to the ground so it's often hard to spot.

The second time we saw this bird was at the Purple Martin Party held by Travis Audubon in Austin, TX. We went to this event to watch thousands of Purple Martins fly through the sky and pour down into the tree to roost for the night. While we were waiting for the martins to begin roosting, I spotted a Common Nighthawk flying around in the sky.


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Photographs

common nighthawk in flight.jpg

This Common Nighthawk flew around the parking lot in Austin, showing off its white wing bars | 07/16/2022


common nighthawk on branch 2.jpg

Another view of the hidden nighthawk | 07/30/2022

Audio recordings

  • ML560097971 - 0:02
    • You'll often hear these calls in the evening as the nighthawk flies around.

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