Nighthawk

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Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor).

Date of admission: Sept 10, 2026.
Reason for admission: Physical Injury.

Patient History:

Common Nighthawks are fascinating summer visitors to Alberta, arriving in late spring and spending the daylight hours resting quietly on the ground, tree branches, and rooftops before taking to the skies at dusk. Despite their name, they are not actually hawks; they are members of the nightjar family and are specially adapted for catching insects in flight. Their large eyes are well suited to seeing in low-light conditions, while their exceptionally wide mouths, or gapes, allow them to capture flying insects such as moths, beetles and mosquitoes. Their long, pointed wings make them highly agile in the air, allowing them to perform sudden turns and dives while pursuing prey.

During the day, their mottled brown, grey and black plumage provides excellent camouflage against the ground, gravel and tree branches where they rest. Male nighthawks also perform dramatic courtship dives, producing a distinctive booming sound as air moves through their primary wing feathers. When the breeding season ends, these remarkable birds undertake a long-distance migration, travelling thousands of kilometres from their breeding grounds in Canada and the United States to wintering areas in South America.

This summer, AIWC welcomed a Common Nighthawk into our care after it was found injured and unable to fly in Medicine Hat. We are incredibly grateful that one of our volunteers in Lethbridge offered to transport the bird from Medicine Hat to Nanton, where one of our Calgary volunteer drivers could pick them up and bring them safely to our centre. Once at AIWC, the nighthawk was carefully assessed by our team and provided with the quiet, low-stress environment they need to recover.

Stories like this are only possible because of the support of our community. Your sponsorship helps provide the food, veterinary care, rehabilitation, specialized housing, and daily support that wildlife patients need throughout their recovery. Thank you for helping give this remarkable nighthawk — and countless other wild animals — the opportunity for a second chance in the wild.