Field Marks: 9.5 in. A widespread and common nightjar found primarily in open and semi-open habitats, often in cities and towns. Active day and night; usually seen in evening when swooping overhead to catch insects. Wings long, pointed, with conspicuous white band; tail long; flight swift and fluttery. Often in large silent flocks on migration. Nests on ground or flat rooftops in cities. Adult male dark with gray, brown, and white mottling above; paler below with dark barring; throat white; white band across primaries conspicuous in flight; tail with white subterminal band. Adult female similar to male but browner; throat buff; tail without white band. Immatures similar to female, but throat may be mottled. A short, nasal "peent" or "pee-eent", given in flight; booming sound made by wings in male's territorial display flight.
Range: Breeds across s. Canada south throughout United States. Winters in South America.