Common Nighthawk

by Tom F.

Birds are very neat creatures.   Did you know that all birds have a beak?  They also have three kinds of feathers and two  wings.   Plus most birds have hollow bones and they are warm blooded, just like  humans.  Oh yeah, the  three kinds are  feathers down feathers,  flight feathers,  contour feathers.  Told you that they were neat.  

   The common nighthawk is a beautiful bird with a white stripe on each wing.  They are 8-10 inches tall.  Did you know that they have easy strokes and pointed wings?  They make a sound like pee-ilk and keeeeeer.

   The common nighthawk lives in  South America in the winter.  They also live in grasslands, open woods and cities.  Where do they migrate you asked?  Well, they migrate all the way to South America!

Can you believe that they don't have a nest?  They usually lay their eggs on the ground maybe on rocks or rooftops.  The color eggs are cream and lavender color.

   The nighthawk eats insects such as flies and mosquitoes. When do they eat?  They eat during the night and evening time.

   Did you know that the common nighthawk is not a hawk! They actually have a big beak (bill).  Plus they are  part of the nightjar family  (67 species).

       I told you that the common nighthawk  &  all birds are neat and interesting.