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Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Photo by Jellis
Published on Project Noah
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37.6018, -121.359

Field Notes

Description:

Despite the name, these birds mainly fly at night in search of insects. Very elusive and secretive. Though they may be in plain sight on the ground or in a tree, their coloring and look helps them blend right in. Most of the bird is brown, white and grey patterning. The wings are dark colored with a white patch. Beak is small but wide when opened. Eyes are large to see better at night.

Habitat:

Open flat fields and gullies. Prefer near water where it can find insects

Notes:

Last week I tried to take pictures in flight at dusk. They didn't turn out so good. This time they were flying sooner.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Thank you Caroline. After two days, a few hundred shots at dusk, trying to keep my eye on it and 3 others flying, and the burst mode fast enough, this is the best shot I was able to get.

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