By Dr. Howard Whiteman
Murray State University
Walking through a parking area towards my car one night, I heard an apparent ‘peent’ sound originating from the sky. As I strained to see into the night, I lastly found the bird much greater than its call would have recommended. There it was, with bat-like wings, searching the night sky for pests: a nighthawk.
Nighthawks are appropriately called in one method: they are predatory, like hawks. However, they are not hawks at all, and are rather a member of the “nightjar” family, a group of nighttime birds that consist of the incredibly singing whip-poor-will and chuck-will’s widow, 2 birds whose names are a best description of their call. Unlike their cousins and their name, nevertheless, nighthawks don’t hunt during the night however rather spend the majority of their time feeding at sunset and dawn.
Nighthawks have to do with 9 inches long with a 21” wingspan, midway in between a robin and crow in size. Their long, pointed wings and looping flight in some cases make them appear bat-like. They have really brief expenses and big heads, and big eyes for seeing during the night. They are camouflaged in gray, white, and black, however have an unique white stripe on each wing — if you can see it.
Nighthawks are uncommon birds of that show up when most other birds are asleep. (Photo thanks to Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0, by means of Wikimedia Commons)
Unlike the forest edge environments chosen by their singing cousins, nighthawks are really comfy in the city. Growing up in the suburban areas of Pittsburgh, they have actually constantly advised me of summer season nights, as I would see and hear nighthawks flying near city structures or shopping center.
I found out there was a factor for their abundance near such structures, since they will nest on flat roofings. “Nest” is a stretch nevertheless, as they don’t develop a real nest; women simply lay 2 eggs on the roofing, and brood the eggs with no help from dried leaves or sticks.
Before nesting, there is courtship. Male nighthawks court women by doing a free-fall dive through the air, and stopping suddenly to make a “boom” noise with his wings. You can frequently hear and see this screen throughout summer season nights.
Nighthawks are uncommon in other methods. They have 2 small feet which don’t offer them much assistance, so they perch awkwardly. They can flap one wing at a time, unlike many other birds, which might help them in their acrobatic maneuvers. Finally, they have actually specialized plumes on each side of their costs that serve as sensing units for flying pests, permitting them to effectively buy victim while moving at high speeds.
During a recent journey to the Rockies, I recognized for the very first time that nighthawks have an extensive circulation throughout North America. Growing up viewing them in the suburban areas, it was odd to see them living and nesting on rock outcrops, however they were far more noticeable in this environment, and would stop and look at us from the ground as we went by. I was likewise surprised that their eyes, when struck by the glare of our headlamps, shone red, providing an almost demonic look.
I make certain that their insect victim believe they are satanic forces. Like bats, nighthawks take in countless pests each night, consisting of mosquitos and farming insects. Having among the longest migration paths of any North American bird, they are supplying these community services to us along with to individuals of South America, where they spend their winter seasons.
Although nighthawk populations have actually decreased in recent years, their capability to adjust to the human matrix might offer some benefit, similar to it has for white-tailed deer, coyotes, and other types which now regular our cities. They are a tip that, a minimum of for some types, even going shopping malls are appropriate, if not natural, environment. The night “peent” of the nigththawk as it looks for victim above our car park likewise advises us that nature still exists, even in our cities, and is patiently waiting on us to be much better stewards of the environment.
If you get an opportunity today and are near a location with good nighthawk nesting practice, which might be a city street, a flat-roofed shopping center, or a rock outcrop, take a minute and want to the sky. Listen for the unique “peent” noise of foraging nighthawks, or the flourishing of a dropping male, or simply search for an extra-large “bat” zipping. If you have persistence, you may simply experience the magic of this uncommon bird, and maybe enjoy it a lot you may start looking, and listening, for them every night.
Dr. Howard Whiteman holds the Commonwealth Endowed Chair of Environmental Studies at Murray State University where he is director of the Watershed Studies Institute and a teacher in the department of Biological Sciences.
