Nighthawk, July, Florida (1 Viewer)

[raulqc]

After looking at the range, it should be Common Nighthawk... but the white around the throat looks closer to the Lesser Nighthawk. Not sure if the id can be done with a bad picture.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KC Foggin]

Looks to be a Lesser Nighthawk for me which are prevalent in Florida during the non-breeding season.

 

[KC Foggin]

And not a bad picture at all.

 

[Microtus]

Raul, what about the throat is better for Lesser? Your picture resembles the Common Nighthawk portrait in the National Geographic guide 6th edition.

eBird has only one record of Lesser Nighthawk east of the Mississippi River for the June to September period.

 

[Nutcracker]

The fairly short tail (not reaching level with the wing tip) also suggests Common.

 

[raulqc]

Microtus,
I use "The Sibley Guide to Birds, Second Edition" and the iBird application, both have illustration that shown a less prominent throat on the common night hawk.

KC and Nutcracker, Thanks for response.

 

[Microtus]

Raul, interesting. To my eye the National Geographic guide shows a more prominent throat for the Common Nighthawk, especially perched.

 

[Birdingcraft]

I think the position of the white on the primaries is a more reliable feature to separate the two. In this case, the white is barely visible because it is closer to the base of the primaries, a feature for Common Nighthawk. It's a cool photo!

 

[raulqc]

Thanks Patrick.