Common Nighthawk look-alikes

Key differences

Smaller than Common Nighthawk, with a shallower wingbeat, appears more consistently brown, and often has a pale, buffy-brown wing bar that is angled more towards the base of the wing rather than straight across. Its call is a lower-pitched, cooing 'wurp' or 'whurrr'. Lesser Nighthawks also tend to occur in warmer, more arid regions.

Key differences

Larger, more robust nightjar with a distinctive calls (its namesake 'chuck-will's-widow'). It typically has rictal bristles around its gape and lacks the prominent white wing bar of the nighthawk. Its flight is more buoyant, and it is usually found in forested habitats, often perched horizontally on branches.

Key differences

Smaller than Common Nighthawk, with an unmistakable repetitive, whistled call. Lacks a prominent white wing bar. Similar to Chuck-will's-widow, it has well-developed rictal bristles and is primarily found in woodlands, with a more direct, moth-like flight path.

Key differences

While geographically distinct in breeding grounds, it shares the nightjar family characteristics. European Nightjar has a more mottled, browner plumage, lacks the prominent white wing bar of the Common Nighthawk, and has a distinctive churring song. Its tail is also shorter and less forked.