Idaho · Summer breeder

Common Nighthawks in Idaho

When common nighthawks are present in Idaho, when they nest, which native Idaho plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)Common NighthawkChordeiles minor

Status in Idaho: Summer breeder
Nesting window: May–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3b–7b

When to expect common nighthawks in Idaho

Common Nighthawks are summer residents in Idaho, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent.

Semi-arid sagebrush plains along the Snake River and forested mountains to the north and center.

Nesting in Idaho

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

Hot, dry summers in the Snake River Plain and cool mountain summers.

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

Native Idaho plants that attract common nighthawks

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

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Common hackberry

Celtis occidentalis · Tree

Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.

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.

Douglas fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii · Tree

Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.

Willow (Bebb)

Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Feeding common nighthawks through the Idaho year

Top foods: None — leave gravel roof or bare ground for nesting.
In Idaho'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 Idaho year-round?

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

When do common nighthawks nest in Idaho?

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

What native plants attract common nighthawks in Idaho?

Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Idaho that provide food or cover for common nighthawks.

Other backyard birds in Idaho

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird 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 Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-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 Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wild Turkey Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Western Tanager Black-throated Sparrow Lark Sparrow Green-tailed Towhee Pinyon Jay Clark's Nutcracker Western Screech-Owl Hooded Merganser Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Least Flycatcher Western Kingbird Ash-throated Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Burrowing Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker American Three-toed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Common Redpoll White-winged Crossbill Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's 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.