Although they are native to North America, they have been sighted as far afield as Iceland, Greenland, and the British Isles.
Thanks to these long distance migrations, Common Nighthawks are often found far outside of their normal ranges. Amongst United States birds, the Nighthawk has one of the longest migration routes around. In fact, Nebraska was once referred to as the “Bugeater State.” ( 2)Ĭommon Nighthawks are birds who migrate over vast distances. This is presumably due to the fact that Nighthawks flying over the plains of Nebraska became an emblem of the state. It is due to this nickname that people from Nebraska were historically referred to as “bugeaters.” Nighthawks are associated with the state of Nebraska and occasionally appear as mascots for sports teams and symbols of state pride. Nighthawks are often referred to as “bugeaters” thanks to their insectivorous diet. One of the other nicknames of the Nighthawk, the “bugeater,” has a much more straightforward source. ( 1) This Public Domain image originates from the National Digital Library of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Although this giant booming sound may sound startling, its source is both unexpected and harmless. This boom, combined with their crepuscular bat-like flight, is the reason that Nighthawks are sometimes referred to as “bull-bats.” Nighthawks, then, may represent the unexpected.
The air rushing across the Nighthawks’ wings results in this massive booming sound. Nighthawks will often careen towards the ground at high speeds and open their wings at the last second in order to stop on a dime. Rather than spotting them by eye, Nighthawks are most often identified by the booming sound that they make. Their feathers give them camouflage and they are most active during the dawn and evening hours when visibility is low. Whether the sight of Nighthawks in flight sets your heart soaring, whether you feel compelled by the strange details of this bird’s anatomy, or whether you simply enjoy learning about the myths and folktales which humans have built up around these creatures, read on to learn all about Nighthawks! On this pageīat-like in flight, Nighthawks are often difficult to spot. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the myths and stories connected with Nighthawks, as well as the unique lessons that we can take away from this decidedly bizarre little bird. With owl-like faces and wide gaping mouths, Nighthawks are both incredibly distinctive and hauntingly beautiful. They are most well-known for their unusually wide mouths which are used to capture insects. Often acknowledged as resembling tiny dragons thanks to their unique shape and cryptic coloration, Nighthawks are insect-eating birds with small feet and large eyes. Neither a hawk nor a completely nocturnal animal, the Nighthawk is actually a species of Nightjar.
Its actual name is, as a matter of fact, a bit of a misnomer. Bull-bats, bugeaters, goat-suckers, the Nighthawk is the recipient of an array of unusual nicknames.
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