Nighthawks Common or Lesser in Las Vegas? (2 Viewers)

[Dale Sanderson]

I use to live in northeast WA and loved to watch the nighthawks in the evening darting around on the "back forty". I've discovered Nighthawks here in Las Vegas, what delight. Using the Audubon Society Field Guide I am still not sure if it is the common or lesser? Anyone know for sure, it looks like it could be either? thanks!

 

[daimyo]

Likely Lesser Nighthawks as they are found in deserts. You may see Commons at higher elevations.

 

[Gentoo]

I agree they are likely Lesser Nighthawks, especially if they fly rather low.

Listen for any calls as well. Lesser sounds entirely different from the Goldeneye like nasal bleat of Common Nighthawk. Lesser gives a low hollow trill which sounds very much like Eastern Screech Owl.

 

[prattw]

Dale,

Our common nighthawk here in Las Vegas is the Lesser. The Common isn't (common, that is) and is generally restricted to foothills situations, where sagebrush replaces creosote bush (even there, the Lesser is much more likely.) In urban situations, the Common only occurs (rarely) during migration. Further north in Nevada, the Common dominates.

The Audubon Fieldguide, with its reliance on photographs, isn't really very useful for identification. If you're serious about birding, you ought to get a Western Peterson or Western Sibley guide. (Peterson is easier for beginners, Sibley is more help for difficult identifications, most of us will have both, and probably several others.)

Will

 

[Dale Sanderson]

Well we do live out on the 215 and N Hualapai, I would call it the foothills. We are at 2930 ele. thanks for the help

 

[Dale Sanderson]

Thanks for the advice on a better book. We are at 2930 ele but not sure if that qualifies as foothills. We are in Providence, 215 and N Hualapai. thanks!

 

[prattw]

Hills, but not foothills, in the sense of habitat type, as I was using the word. At 2900 ft you're still at the level of total dominance by Creosote Bush, that is, hot desert. The cool semi-desert dominated by sagebrush starts at around 4000 ft on north slopes.

Incidentally, if you have a Costco card, the one in Henderson has had the Western Sibley guide fror $11 and change lately a bit over half price.

[Edit: Here's the local Audubon Society's website http://www.redrockaudubon.org/ It has quite a lot of useful local information.]

Will

 

[Dale Sanderson]

Thanks for the Costco info. I will check the Centennial Costco and see if they have it as well. Can't wait to get into the above site too. happy Birding.