Photo: Jerry Oldenettel / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Lesser Nighthawk
Chordeiles acutipennis
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) — Nightjars & Allies of North America.
Found across 18 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Adults weigh 48.4 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 acutipennis
Where it lives
Southwestern USA to northern Argentina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 48.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lesser Nighthawk is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Lesser Nighthawk is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family of the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Its distribution covers NA, MA, SA sw USA to n Argentina.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 48.4 g, with a wing length of about 16.5 cm and a tail of around 10.1 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 10.6 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lesser Nighthawk?
The Lesser Nighthawk is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 48.4 g.
Where does the Lesser Nighthawk live?
The Lesser Nighthawk is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America with a range covering NA, MA, SA sw USA to n Argentina, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Lesser Nighthawk belong to?
The Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Lesser Nighthawk eat?
The Lesser Nighthawk is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Lesser Nighthawk migrate?
The Lesser Nighthawk is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Lesser 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 Lesser Nighthawk make?
1 real field recording of the Lesser 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 Lesser Nighthawk's range?
The Lesser Nighthawk has a mapped global range of about 10.6 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.
Explore more birds
More in Caprimulgidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Nightjars & Allies
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern