Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

The lesser nighthawk is a nightjar found throughout a large part of the Americas. This bird looks similar to the common nighthawk but is slightly smaller, has a slightly less deeply forked tail, and is more buffy in coloration.

A Lesser Nighthawk sleeping on the beach at South Padre Island. Photo shared on Wikipedia by Chuck Homler, Focus On Wildlife.
A Lesser Nighthawk sleeping on the beach at South Padre Island. Photo shared on Wikipedia by Chuck Homler, Focus On Wildlife.
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Community Sightings

Recent observations from the iNaturalist community

Chotacabras Menor observed by walfredo75
Oct 13, 2026
Mazatlán, MX-SI, MX
byWualfredo A. Chancellor
Research Grade
· 1 ID
Chotacabras Menor observed by sosar
Oct 10, 2026
Culiacán, MX-SI, MX
byDaniel
Research Grade
· 1 ID
Chotacabras Menor observed by axel-f-m
Oct 9, 2026
Observatorio de Aves Migratorias Mario Ramos
byaxel-f-m
Research Grade
· 1 ID
Chotacabras Menor observed by eber_bh
Oct 9, 2026
Cerritos, 82112 Mazatlán, Sin., México
byEber Barraza
Research Grade
· 2 IDs
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