COMMON NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles minor) 



The nighthawk is not a hawk at all, but a goatsucker which is adapted to 

 aerial flycatching. Nighthawks have long wings and huge mouths. They are 

 most active during late evening and early morning hours. In this poor 

 light they can be identified by their unusually long wings, their erratic 

 flight, and a nasal "peent" uttered repeatedly in flight. During the mating 

 season nighthawks also produce an unusual booming sound which occurs 

 when the bird initiates rapid braking wingbeats at the culmination of a 

 spectacular aerial dive. The diet of the nighthawk is made up entirely of 

 airborne insects which range in size from minute gnats to large moths, 

 all of which are taken on the wing. Nighthawks are fairly common at 

 lower elevations in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. 



Calliope Hummingbird 



Danny On 



BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) 



With its harsh, rattling call, clean-cut markings and bold outline, the king- 

 fisher is a very distinctive bird. As its name implies, the kingfisher is an 

 excellent fisher, usually launching the attack on its prey from an exposed 

 perch in full view of a lake or river. Kingfishers nest in holes dug in exposed 

 banks where they lay 5 to 8 pure white eggs. The female kingfisher is dis- 

 tinguished from the male by a chestnut band across the breast. Several 

 Plains Indian tribes carried kingfisher skins with them into battle, believ- 

 ing that the kingfisher's rapid movements were transmitted to the warrior, 

 thus enabling him to dodge enemy bullets and arrows. In ancient England 

 the dried body of a kingfisher was kept in the house as a protection against 

 lightning. Kingfishers are common residents along waterways of both 

 parks. 



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