NIGHTJARS
NSN gathers observations of 9 Nightjar species found in the United States. View the profiles below to view each species and listen recordings of vocalizations. Click on the map icons to view larger range maps (provided by Birds of the World).
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Want to test your abilities to identify North American nightjars by ear?
Kati Fleming
Antillean
Nighthawk
Chordeiles gundlachii
A crepuscular aerialist of the Caribbean, Antillean Nighthawks can be found in Florida Keys.
Buff-collared Nightjar
Antrostomus ridgwayi
Dubbed "Cookacheea" and "Prestame-tu-cuchillo", this nightjar inhabits the rocky, thickly vegetated scrublands and forests of Central America.
Chuck-will's
-widow
Antrostomus carolinensis
The Chuck-will's-widow is the largest nightjar in North America where it can be heard within the open woodlands of the Southeast.
Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Widely distributed, Common Nighthawks can be found chasing down insects on summer evenings throughout much of continent.
Common
Pauraque
Nyctidromus albicollis
Primarily found residing in the Neotropics, this handsome nightjar can be found within brushy sections of southern Texas.
Audio by Kai Klawitter
Common
Poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Hölchoko, or "the sleeping one", the Common Poorwill inhabits the prairies, deserts, and brushy woodlands of western North America and Mexico.
Lesser
Nighthawk
Chordeiles acutipennis
The Lesser Nighthawk is a specialist of arid and semiarid habitats of the American Southwest and Central America.
Audio by Richard E. Webster
Eastern
Whip-poor-will
Antrostomus vociferus
Found breeding in the dry woodlands and scrublands of eastern North America, the Eastern Whip-poor-will has recently received increased attention in response to widespread declines.
Mexican
Whip-poor-will
Antrostomus arizonae
Mexican Whip-poor-wills inhabit brushy slopes of mountains and hills in the American Southwest, Mexico, and Central America.
Audio by Scott Olmstead