Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

General Status Rank: 
Sensitive
ELCODE: 
ABNTA02020
Common Name: 
Common Nighthawk
Scientific Name: 
Chordeiles minor
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Caprimulgiformes
Family: 
Caprimulgidae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

nonhunted species
References: 
H129
Habitat
in open woodland or in city
References: 
B004
H129
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B004

Distribution

0.30; GIS range estimate from 2009 CWS range layers. CONI = 403,751 km2.
Score: 
G
References: 
B004
Winter Distribution Description: 
South America

Number of Occurrences

more than 300
Score: 
E

Historical Distribution

Likely similar to current dist.
References: 
H129

Area of Occupancy

likely stable
Score: 
-
References: 
LWR01
R178
Population

Population Size

Estimate from PIF for NWT/NU =140,000. No CONI in NU so total value could be used. However, PIF pop estimates are based on BBS and BBS does not adequately sample this species (i.e. morning surveys targeting crepuscular species). Therefore, value should be interpreted with caution. (Partners in Flight Science Committee 2013. Population Estimates Database, version 2013. Available at http://rmbo.org/pifpopestimates. Accessed on <January 25, 2015>.)
Score: 
E
References: 
DD16
Trends

Trends

National trend = stable now but show some decline over the last 30 yrs (LWR01) .In Canada, data from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), indicate a significant long-term (i.e. 1968-2005) decline of 4.2% per year. In the most recent 10 year period (1995-2005), BBS data show a significant decline of 6.6% per year. This corresponds to a 49.5% decrease in the population (R178).In NWT BBS data have low reliability and should be interpreted with caution (Environment Canada, 2014. North American Breeding Bird Survey - Canadian Trends Website, Data-version 2012. Environment Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0H3); BBS (1989-2017) annual decline of -4.05% , overall decline for period of -68.6% Smith, A.C., Hudson, M-A.R. Aponte, V., and Francis, C.M. 2019. North American Breeding Bird Survey - Canadian Trends Website, Data-version 2017. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0H3
Score: 
AD
References: 
LWR01
R178
Threats

Threats

Little human disturbance in NWT, wide spread fires in the region which creates habitat, threats should be considered low for this species in the NWT; but threats are very high elsewhere on migration
References: 
H129

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Limited effects of climate change likely in next 10 yrs - high vulnerability as an areal insectivore but less vulnerable in the NWT due to more habitat (fire scars)
References: 
H129
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Sensitive
Status Rank Description: 
in decline Nationally, no info on numbers in NWT - rank follows the status at the National level. This species is currently listed as Threatened in Canada (SARA), and populations are decreasing across Canada. However, this species has a wide range and large population size in the NWT. There is not enough data to generate trends with good precision for this species in the NWT. BBS data indicates decline but results should be interpreted with caution due to low precision. Ranked as S3S4 due to uncertainty.
S Rank: 
S3S4
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Leslie Wakelyn and S. Carriere mostly based on printed material; reviewed in 2005 by S Carriere, no changes; Reviewed by COSEWIC, and assessed as threatened (2007) - modified to at risk (2009); Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed by in 2015, no change; Reviewed in 2020 by Amélie Roberto-Charron, modified from at Risk to sensitive, with more information
Last Updated: 
September 16, 2020
Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment: 
Not Applicable
Species under federal jurisdiction

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank: 
Not Applicable
Species under federal jurisdiction

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Special Concern
2018: Designated Special Concern in April 2018. Assessment based on a new status report.COSEWIC 2018. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa; Was designated Threatened in 2007.
References: 
R178

Canada – Species at Risk Legal Status

SARA Status: 
Threatened
2010
References: 
W103

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Downes, C.M., E.H. Dunn and C.M Francis (2000) Canadian Landbird Monitoring Strategy: monitoring needs and priorities into the new millenium.. Partners in Flight - Canada A 9-15 EC-CWS, Yellowknife (L. Wakelyn) - or communicate with Erica H. Dunn, CWS in Hull, QC, at erica.dunn@ec,gc,ca - LWR01 Return
  • COSEWIC (2007) COSEWIC Status Report on the Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor. - R178 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • COSEWIC (2007) COSEWIC Status Report on the Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor. - R178 Return

Economic Status

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Federal Species at Risk Status

  • Government of Canada (2016) Species at Risk Public Registry. http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm - W103 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Population Size

Partners in Flight Science Committee 2013. Population Estimates Database, version 2013. Available at http://rmbo.org/pifpopestimates. Accessed on <January 25, 2015>. (2013) http://rmbo.org/pifpopestimates - DD16 Return

Range Extent

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Downes, C.M., E.H. Dunn and C.M Francis (2000) Canadian Landbird Monitoring Strategy: monitoring needs and priorities into the new millenium.. Partners in Flight - Canada A 9-15 EC-CWS, Yellowknife (L. Wakelyn) - or communicate with Erica H. Dunn, CWS in Hull, QC, at erica.dunn@ec,gc,ca - LWR01 Return
  • COSEWIC (2007) COSEWIC Status Report on the Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor. - R178 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return