Common Nighthawk
Common NighthawkCommon NighthawkCommon NighthawkCommon Nighthawk

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Olympic National Park
674 Verified sightings at Olympic National Park From 2019 to 2026
4,646 Verified sightings across all 61 parks From 2019 to 2026
August Best month highest sighting rate
🌅 Crepuscular When it's spotted at dawn and dusk

About the Common Nighthawk

The common nighthawk or bullbat (Chordeiles minor) is a medium-sized crepuscular or nocturnal bird of the Americas within the nightjar (Caprimulgidae) family, whose presence and identity are best revealed by its vocalization. Typically dark (gray, black and brown), displaying cryptic colouration and intricate patterns, this bird is difficult to spot with the naked eye during the day. This bird is most conspicuous when in its buoyant and erratic flight. The most remarkable feature of this aerial insectivore is its small beak that belies the massiveness of its mouth. Some claim appearance similarities to owls. With its horizontal stance and short legs, the common nighthawk does not travel frequently on the ground, instead preferring to perch horizontally, parallel to branches, on posts, on the ground or on a roof. The males of this species may roost together but the bird is primarily solitary. The common nighthawk shows variability in territory size.

This caprimulgid has a large, flattened head with large eyes; facially it lacks rictal bristles. The common nighthawk has long slender wings that at rest extend beyond a notched tail. There is noticeable barring on the sides and abdomen, also white wing-patches.

The common nighthawk measures 22 to 25 cm (8.7 to 9.8 in) long, displays a wing span of 51 to 61 cm (20 to 24 in) weighs 55 to 98 g (1.9 to 3.5 oz), and has a life span of 4 to 5 years. Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Point Pelee National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
~10%
2 Everglades National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
3 Soberanía National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
<5%
4 Bastimentos Island National Marine Park 🇵🇦 Panama
<5%
5 Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
6 Big Cypress National Preserve 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
7 Iguazú National Park 🇦🇷 Argentina
<5%
8 Rincón de la Vieja National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
9 La Amistad International Park (Panama) 🇵🇦 Panama
<5%
10 Darién National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
<5%
11 Isle Royale National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
12 Chagres National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
<5%
13 Tortuguero National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
14 Iberá National Park 🇦🇷 Argentina
<5%
15 Acadia National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
16 Celestún Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
<5%
17 Yasuní National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
<5%
18 Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve 🇪🇨 Ecuador
<5%
19 Shenandoah National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
20 Yosemite National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
21 Palo Verde National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
22 Sierra de la Macarena National Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
<5%
23 Tambopata National Reserve 🇵🇪 Peru
<5%
24 Arenal Volcano National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
25 Braulio Carrillo National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
26 Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
27 El Impenetrable National Park 🇦🇷 Argentina
Insufficient data
28 Wood Buffalo National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
29 Gros Morne National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
30 Noel Kempff Mercado National Park 🇧🇴 Bolivia
Insufficient data
31 Saguaro National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
32 Biotopo Cerro Cahuí 🇬🇹 Guatemala
Insufficient data
33 San Lorenzo Protected Forest 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
34 Cape Breton Highlands National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
35 Cahuita National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
36 La Tigra National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
37 Celaque National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
38 Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
39 Santa Rosa National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
40 Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
41 Parque Natural Metropolitano 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
42 Anavilhanas National Park 🇧🇷 Brazil
Insufficient data
43 Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary 🇧🇿 Belize
Insufficient data
44 Ostional Wildlife Refuge 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
45 Congaree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
46 Madidi National Park 🇧🇴 Bolivia
Insufficient data
47 Manuel Antonio National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
48 Pico Bonito National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
49 Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
50 Amacayacu National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
51 Calakmul Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
52 Tikal National Park 🇬🇹 Guatemala
Insufficient data
53 Tayrona National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
54 Chingaza National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
55 Marino Ballena National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
56 Iguaçu National Park 🇧🇷 Brazil
Insufficient data
57 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
58 Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas 🇧🇷 Brazil
Insufficient data
59 Carara National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
60 Los Nevados National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
61 Galápagos Islands 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Common Nighthawk in Olympic National Park?

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Common Nighthawk sighting in Olympic National Park, based on 674 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Common Nighthawk in Olympic National Park?

August has the highest sighting rate for Common Nighthawk in Olympic National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Olympic National Park