Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) is in the Nightjars and Allies family (Caprimulgidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,344 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Lesser Nighthawk: observations by month (U.S.)
About Lesser Nighthawk
The lesser nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) is a nightjar found throughout a large part of the Americas.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Lesser Nighthawk by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 794 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Arizona | 786 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Texas | 533 | April | Apr–Sep |
| New Mexico | 86 | May | May–Jul |
| Nevada | 62 | June | May–Aug |
| Florida | 42 | December | Dec–Feb |
| Washington | 15 | May | May–Jun |
| Louisiana | 10 | May | Apr–May |
| Colorado | 7 | May | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Nightjars and Allies)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Lesser Nighthawk?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to August.
Where is Lesser Nighthawk most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Texas.