“The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) typically gives a nasal 'peent' in flight, but during the breeding season the males will make this unearthly 'booming' noise (@ 12s in the recording). The sound is entirely mechanical, made by flexing the wings in a steep dive and forcing air through the wing feathers. This display is mostly done to impress females, but sometimes also to intimidate intruders (me in this case).” – Jacob Saucier, Division of Birds #SummerRoadTrip #Playlist | Smithsonian Nat

Have you ever heard the “peent” call of the common nighthawk? Common nighthawks are expert insectivores, capturing and consuming flying insects on the wing. They are most active at dawn and dusk, but if insects are plentiful they may hunt at all hours of the day. 📸 of common nighthawk by Barbara Rumer. #commonnighthawk #highdesert #oregondesert #greatbasin #malheurnationalwildliferefuge #friendsofmalheur | Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge