How long do common nighthawks live?
The oldest Common Nighthawk on record lived to 10 years, a record from a wild bird. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild common nighthawks live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 10 years
- Record from
- Wild bird
- Eggs per clutch
- 1–2 eggs
- Broods per year
- 1–2 per season
- Size
- 8.7–9.4 in, 2.3–3.5 oz
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Common Nighthawk can survive to, not what most do.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
More about common nighthawks
Frequently asked
How long do common nighthawks live?
The longest-lived Common Nighthawk on record reached 10 years, recorded from a wild bird. Most wild common nighthawks live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
What is the oldest Common Nighthawk ever recorded?
10 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Common Nighthawk raise in a year?
Pairs lay 1–2 eggs and raise 1–2 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "small". genomics.senescence.info