9.5 inches long. The Common Nighthawk has a large head with large eyes. It has a small bill and an enormous mouth. The dark wings are long and pointed with a conspicuous patch halfway out from the bend in the wing. The upperparts are blackish with gray and white patterns. The head and chest have a brown and white pattern. The underparts show heavy dark bars. The notched tail is dark with white bars. The male has a white throat and the female has a buff throat. The male has a white tail band that is usually absent in the female.
The Common Nighthawk is a common migrant and uncommon breeding bird in the area. It arrives in mid April and leaves by mid October. It is best seen flying at early morning or late evening.
The Common Nighthawk is misnamed since it is not a hawk and it is most active at dawn and dusk. It catches insects on the wing by opening its huge mouth as it flies through swarms. The wings are held angled back and raised during flight that is erratic and bounding, almost bat-like. This has given the bird a colloquial name of Bullbat. As well as natural sites, it is well known for its propensity to nest on flat gravel roofs, especially in cities. It usually makes no nest and lays its eggs directly on the ground. During the day it may roost on the ground or lengthwise on a branch or wire. The call is a loud, nasal “peent”.
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