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Find a Bird

Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor

The Common Nighthawk was once a fairly common ground nester in the pine barren areas of Massachusetts. It gradually adapted to nesting on gravel city roofs. Today, the species is most often seen during migration and its breeding range in the state is very restricted.
Conservation Status
Conservation Action Urgent

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Likely Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.53
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.49
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.04
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
12.10
National Audubon Societyb
n/a
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
49
Atlas II Blocks
14
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
5
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
1
Percent change
28

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
-21.9%
P-value
not significant
Number of routes
4
Recent trend 2000-2010
-22.5%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1963-1979)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1979-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Shrubland, Urban and Suburban

Wintering

Does not winter in Massachusetts

Climate Suitability Current and 2050