Photo: Nortondefeis / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Least Nighthawk
Chordeiles pusillus
Least Nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus) — Nightjars & Allies of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Least Nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 30.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Caprimulgiformes
- Family Caprimulgidae Nightjars
- Genus Chordeiles
- Species pusillus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 30.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Least Nighthawk is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Least Nighthawk is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Least Nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus) is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, part of the order Caprimulgiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA n, e.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 30.6 g, with a wing length of about 12.5 cm and a tail of around 6.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Least Nighthawk?
The Least Nighthawk is a small bird that weighs around 30.6 g.
Where does the Least Nighthawk live?
The Least Nighthawk is found across South America with a range covering SA n, e, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Least Nighthawk belong to?
The Least Nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Least Nighthawk eat?
The Least Nighthawk is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Least Nighthawk migrate?
The Least Nighthawk is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Least Nighthawk endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Least Nighthawk make?
1 real field recording of the Least Nighthawk — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Least Nighthawk's range?
The Least Nighthawk has a mapped global range of about 3.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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