Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
CAPRIMULGIDAE Members: Lesser Nighthawk 12221
General Comments
This bird of Southwestern deserts is somewhat of a surprise on the North Carolina Bird List. Though it is possible that unidentified nighthawks reported in the state after October could be Lesser Nighthawks, the only definitive record is one found dead in Carteret in Dec 1998* (Chat 66:1-6). The specimen is now in the NC Museum of Natural Sciences collection. One was reported as seen in flight along the causeway at Figure Eight Island (New Hanover) on 25 Nov and 16 Dec 2021 (Chat 86:29), (Chat 86:53). However, this report was not accepted by the NC BRC, though a nighthawk was certainly involved, and the details do point toward this species as opposed to Common Nighthawk. Sadly, the bird was not photographed, which was the probable reason for lack of acceptance.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SA
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
One confirmed record, and one likely record (though not accepted).
Piedmont
No records.
Mountain
No records.
Finding Tips