Voice of the Wild

Episode 12: Common Nighthawk – Voice of the Wild


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Learn the song and call of the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). 

The erratic flight and Narrow angular wings tipped with white bands give the common nighthawk a rather boomerang-like appearance. While it can be found foraging over its native habitats; marshes, ponds, and prairies, you’re more likely to hear its distinctive “peent” when heading downtown for a dinner with friends. That’s because this nightjar has an affinity for the evening city skyline. The bright city lights draw in plenty of insects for it to catch with its enormous mouth and it finds places to nest on the gravel roofs of apartments and hotels. This bird can make a booming sound with its wings, though this is far less commonly heard than its call. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program. 

Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

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The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

Common Nighthawk call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML507144) 

Common Nighthawk boom by Matthew D. Medler (ML507143) 

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