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 moguel01
Jun 2, 2026
Los Cabos ITES Institute of Technology, San José del Cabo, B.C.S., MX
bymoguel01
Research Grade
· 2 IDs
Lesser Nighthawk observed by rojas_angela
Jun 2, 2026
Butterfly Park Dr, Mission, TX, US
byAngela Rojas
Research Grade
· 1 ID
Gråvinget Nathøg observed by cesb2003
Jun 2, 2026
Holbox, Q. Roo., MX
bycesb2003
Research Grade
· 1 ID
Lesser Nighthawk observed by victorengel
Jun 1, 2026
Allandale, Austin, TX, USA
byVictor Engel
Research Grade
· 1 ID
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