Lesser Nighthawk Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesLesser Nighthawk
Male
A long-winged and long-tailed nighthawk with rounded wings. Males have white bar across the wingtips (farther out on the wings that the similar Common Nighthawk) and a white band across the tail.
© Marky Mutchler / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, June 22, 2020Male
Lesser Nighthawks roost motionless on the ground or in trees and shrubs during the day.
© Bret Whitney / Macaulay LibraryPará, July 03, 2009Male
Lesser Nighthawks are cryptically-colored in browns and grays and easily blend in with their surroundings.
© Cameron Rutt / Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, May 05, 2017Female
Females have a smaller cream-colored band across the wingtips and lack the male's band across the tail.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 27, 2014Similar SpeciesCommon Nighthawk
Adult
Common Nighthawks look very similar to Lesser Nighthawks, but the bar is closer to the bend in the wing on Common Nighthawks and closer to the wingtips on Lesser Nighthawks.
© Daniel Irons / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, August 23, 2016Similar SpeciesCommon Nighthawk
Adult
On perched birds, note that the wings on Common Nighthawks extend beyond the tail, but on Lesser Nighthawks the wings meet the tail.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, April 28, 2013Similar SpeciesCommon Poorwill
Adult
Common Poorwills are smaller and stubbier than Lesser Nighthawks. Poorwills also have shorter wings and tail than nighthawks.
© Bruce Cyganowski / Macaulay LibraryColorado, October 05, 2015Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Nightjars and Allies(Order: Caprimulgiformes, Family: Caprimulgidae)
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