British Columbia · Summer breeder

Common Nighthawks in British Columbia

When common nighthawks are present in British Columbia, when they nest, which native British Columbia plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–9a yard.

Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)Common NighthawkChordeiles minor

Status in British Columbia: Summer breeder
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: Canada 1a–9a

When to expect common nighthawks in British Columbia

Common Nighthawks are summer residents in British Columbia, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent.

Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.

Nesting in British Columbia

Across British Columbia, common nighthawks typically nest from June–July. Plan around that window: May for setup, July for clean-out.

Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.

Common Nighthawks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, chokecherry, ponderosa pine for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native British Columbia plants that attract common nighthawks

Of the regional native plants we track for British Columbia, these 8 provide food or cover common nighthawks use:

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Oregon white oak

Quercus garryana · Tree

Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.

Douglas fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

White spruce

Picea glauca · Tree

Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.

Tamarack

Larix laricina · Tree

Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.

Feeding common nighthawks through the British Columbia year

Top foods: None — leave gravel roof or bare ground for nesting.
In British Columbia's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for common nighthawks · Best feeder for common nighthawks

Frequently asked

Are common nighthawks in British Columbia year-round?

No. Common Nighthawks are summer breeders in British Columbia and leave for the winter.

When do common nighthawks nest in British Columbia?

Nesting in British Columbia typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–2 eggs, incubated for 16–20 days.

What native plants attract common nighthawks in British Columbia?

Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, White spruce, Tamarack are native plants in British Columbia that provide food or cover for common nighthawks.

Other backyard birds in British Columbia

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Purple Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Western Tanager Lark Sparrow Clark's Nutcracker Western Screech-Owl Hooded Merganser Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Ovenbird Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Least Flycatcher Western Kingbird Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Barn Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Horned Lark Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.