Which Nightjar in Northeastern USA This Week? (1 Viewer)

[CurtMorgan]

I saw this resting bird at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury Massachusetts this week. Do you know which nightjar it is? Please tell me how you came to that conclusion.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Common Nighthawk. The obvious barring on the underparts is a good feature.

 

[KC Foggin]

Common Nighthawk for me as well.

I know I was tickled pink when I came upon my first one.

 

[fugl]

Dto

 

[Steve Schoech]

Please tell me how you came to that conclusion.

And, whips and chucks (assuming the latter might get that far north) are overall 'brownish' as opposed to the black, white, and gray coloration of your nighthawk.:t:

 

[CurtMorgan]

Thank you

The director of an Audubon Center thought that it was an Eastern Whippoorwill, so I wanted confirmation. I was thrown off by the lack of white markings on the wings and tail. Does that mean that it is a female?

 

[tom baxter]

The director of an Audubon Center thought that it was an Eastern Whippoorwill, so I wanted confirmation. I was thrown off by the lack of white markings on the wings and tail. Does that mean that it is a female?

I suppose that female is not a bad guess. I'm no expert on nightjars, but you can see the white feather that is part of the folded wing and is located near the center of the flanks (I guess its a primary shaft). Sibley says that is unique to Common Nighthawks. Its visible in picture #2, not that there is any doubt without that ID mark, but that is a clincher.