Common Nighthawk - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Within family Caprimulgidae, subfamily Chordeilinae (Nighthawks) are limited to the New World and are distinguished from the subfamily Caprimulginae, by the lack of rictal bristles.

The American Orinthologists’ Union treated the smaller Antillean Nighthawk as conspecific with the Common Nighthawk until 1982.

Up until the early 19th century, the Common Nighthawk and the Whip-poor-will were thought to be one species. The latter’s call was explained as the nocturnal expression of the Common Nighthawk. Alexander Wilson, “The Father of American Ornithology” correctly made the differentiation between the two species.