Lesser Nighthawk 

About this Species

The Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) is a species of nightjar found throughout the Americas, including in the Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize. These birds are well adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle, with large eyes that allow them to see in low light conditions and silent flight feathers that help them hunt insects on the wing.

In the Yucatan Peninsula, Lesser Nighthawks are most commonly found in open habitats such as savannas, grasslands, and agricultural fields. During the day, they rest on the ground or on low perches, often blending in with their surroundings to avoid detection by predators. At night, they emerge to hunt flying insects such as moths and beetles.

Like many birds, Lesser Nighthawks are migratory, spending the breeding season in the United States and wintering in Central and South America. In the Yucatan Peninsula, they are typically present from March to October. These birds are an important part of the ecosystem, helping to control insect populations and providing a food source for larger predators.