Common Nighthawk in April
Where common nighthawks are in April, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
April in the Common Nighthawk's year
April is when spring migration hits its stride. Waves of migrants move north on warm southerly winds, wintering birds leave for good, and early nesters are already on eggs in the South. Every week brings species that weren't there the week before.
For the Common Nighthawk specifically, April is a spring month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where common nighthawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where common nighthawks are in April
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In April, common nighthawks are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in April
Common nighthawks are not nesting in April. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes, starting roughly a month earlier in the South.
Outside the nesting season, common nighthawks put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in April
- Moths, beetles, flying ants and mosquitoes
Hunts around city lights at dusk; nests on flat gravel roofs and bare ground.
Migrants arriving after long flights are hungry — feeders can be genuine lifelines during cold, wet spells that suppress insects.
Full Common Nighthawk diet guide → · Best feeder for common nighthawks →
Watching common nighthawks this month
Common nighthawks are settled and predictable in April, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region common nighthawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Common Nighthawk month by month
Common Nighthawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are common nighthawks in April?
In April, common nighthawks are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do common nighthawks nest in April?
No — common nighthawks typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do common nighthawks eat in April?
Moths, beetles, flying ants and mosquitoes.
Sources
- Common Nighthawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Nighthawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Nighthawk — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.