Common Nighthawk

The Common Nighthawk is mild-mannered by day as it rests on the ground or on a
horizontal tree branch, its colour and shape blending perfectly with its arboreal envi-
ronment. At dusk, however, this bird leaves its perch to become a dazzling and erratic
flier, catching insects in flight. The male nighthawk's courtship display is particularly
impressive. He flies to a great height over an open area before engaging in a swift nose-
dive. As he strains to pull out of this death-defying dive, he thrusts his wings forward
to slow himself down, producing a deep, hollow vroom sound with the feathers of his
wings.

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