Name that bird

[Antlerking]

There has been quite a few of these little birds of prey flying around the property lately and they seem to roast on the branches during the day, and this guy was about 12 feet of so i got some pics of him to share

[batsquatch]

Night Hawk

[jameslong]

looks like a whiporwill

[Drifterat]

Night Hawk

x2

[Dmanmastertracker]

 It is a nighthawk and you really don't see them out at all during the day except for the last hour of light, pretty lucky.

[rasbo]

damn things get right in your face when calling late

[batsquatch]

I know they like to sleep on old grassy high country logging roads during the day, and if they have chicks around theyll try to take your eyes out.

[509er]

Nighthawk.  They sleep in the gravel at my work during the day.  Amazing how well they blend in.  Nice pic.

[halflife65]

night hawk.

[saylean]

damn things get right in your face when calling late

You got that right. I have been buzzed by them a few times.

[teal101]

Yep Nighthawks.  We used to see em all the time at my old house right around dusk.  Neat little birds.

[hirshey]

Night hawks are pretty neat; have you seen some of their feathers? I think think its every feather.. but some of their feathers have small little spines that catch air and as they dive help to make those humming noises... anyone know what I'm talking about?

I'm not sure if it was an adaptation to confuse/stun prey or for mating or to scare other critters off... perhaps someone else on here has more insight?

In any case, cool shot. generally they nest/roost close to the ground, so its neat to see them in vegetation like that!

[CMG]

I'm not sure if it was an adaptation to confuse/stun prey or for mating or to scare other critters off...

Night hawk - during mating season the male will do a power dive and make an abrupt turn upward to make a booming sound with it's wings. They can catch you off guard! My boys call them swoosh birds, they are more active in the mid to late evening but they are not nocturnal. They feed on bugs mostly mosquito's from what I have seen. Cool birds!  The ones I have witnessed must either be mating all year or they also use this swooshing sound to confuse their prey and feed because we hear them all year long!