Silent Sleeper
You may have heard this bird flying overhead making a “peent” call. The common nighthawk is most active in the hours around sunrise and sunset. Due to their cryptic coloration and silent behavior during the day when they roost, they can be difficult to spot.
Common Nighthawk at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
Weekly Photo Challenge – Silence
Great shot, SoyBend! 🙂 It’s a very beautiful species. I read more about it on the web. Unfortunately, they are common but declining in numbers very rapidly. We need to do a lot more with curtailing the use of so many terrible pesticides.
Yes, I read that as well. I started to add it to the post but it was depressing. 🙁
Most interesting and a fantastic photograph! We have a few related species here in South Africa, where they are known as “nightjars”.
Thanks! They have also been called “goatsuckers”.
See this link for an explanation of that name that originated more than 2,000 years ago.
http://www.sibleyguides.com/2015/03/why-are-they-called-goatsuckers/
Fascinating and amusing at the same time!
A beautiful little bird!
Yes, they are beautiful at rest and in flight.