See text Caprimulgus minorChordeiles virginianus The common nighthawk or bullbat (Chordeiles minor) is a medium-sized [3][4] crepuscular or nocturnal bird[3][5] of the Americas within the nightjar (Caprimulgidae) family, whose presence and identity are best revealed by its vocalization.

Typically dark[3] (gray, black and brown),[5] displaying cryptic colouration and intricate patterns, this bird is difficult to spot with the naked eye during the day.

[7] The term "nighthawk", first recorded in the King James Bible version of 1611, was originally a local name in England for the European nightjar.

[8] The common nighthawk is sometimes called a "bull-bat", due to its perceived "bat-like" flight, and the "bull-like" boom made by its wings as it pulls from a dive.

There are 9 currently recognized subspecies:[12] This species is recorded as widespread during the Late Pleistocene, from Virginia to California and from Wyoming to Texas.

[3] Nighthawks prefer to nest in edge and early successional habitats, making them one of only a handful of birds which will live and hunt in burned or clearcut patches of forest.

The enormous distance travelled between breeding grounds and wintering range is one of the North America's longer migrations.

[citation needed] The northbound journey commences at the end of February and the birds reach destinations as late as mid-June.

In Manitoba and Ontario, Canada, it is reported that during migration the nighthawks are seen most commonly in the late afternoon, into the evening,[4][5] with a burst of sunset feeding activities.

Another courtship sound, thought to be made solely by the males, is the boom, created by air rushing through the primaries after a quick downward flex of the wings during a daytime dive.

[4] Frequent flyers, the long-winged common nighthawk hunts on the wing[13] for extended periods at high altitudes or in open areas.

Common nighthawks have been shown to prefer eating Coleopterids (beetles) and Hymenopterids (bees, ants, and wasps), seeking these insects out in their habitats.

[17] While the most common type of insects in their diets are Lepidopterans (butterflies and moths), they actively avoid eating Dipterids (flies).

[18] The common nighthawk was observed to drink on its winter range by flying extremely low over the surface of the water.

Copulation occurs when the pair settles on the ground together; the male with his rocking body, widespread tail wagging and bulging throat expresses guttural croaking sounds.

[4] The preferred breeding/nesting habitat is in forested regions with expansive rocky outcrops, in clearings, in burned areas[5] or in small patches of sandy gravel.

The male will roost in a neighbouring tree (the spot he chooses changes daily); he guards the nest by diving, hissing, wing-beating or booming at the sites.

In the face of predation, common nighthawks do not abandon the nest easily; instead they likely rely on their cryptic colouration to camouflage themselves.

Once hatched, the nestlings are active and have their eyes fully or half open; additionally they display a sparing cover of soft down feathers.

Juvenile birds, in both sexes, are lighter in colour and have a smaller white wing-patch than adult common nighthawks.

[21] Confirmed predation on adults is restricted to domestic cats, golden eagles, and great horned owls.

[23] Other suspected predators are likely to attack them, such as dogs, coyotes, foxes, hawks, American kestrels,[24] owls, crows and ravens, and snakes.

[25] There has been a general decline in the number of common nighthawks in North America, but some population increases also have occurred[4] in other geographical locations.

[13] The bird's large range makes individual risk thresholds in specific regions difficult to establish.

[26] The Common nighthawk's trait of being a ground-nesting bird makes it particularly susceptible to predators, some of which include domestic cats, ravens, snakes, dogs, coyotes, falcons and owls.

Further unstudied potential causes of decline include climate change, disease, road kills, man-made towers (posing aerial hazards), and parasites.

In an effort to provide managed breeding areas, gravel pads have been added in the corners of rubberized roofs; this proves acceptable, as nesting has been observed.