Editing Nighthawk (section)

== Appearance ==
Nighthawks are medium-sized birds averaging 9 inches (22–24&nbsp;cm) from bill to tail with a wingspan of about 21-22 inches (53–57&nbsp;cm), short legs, and very short, wide bills that are moderately hooked at the tip.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Common Nighthawk |url=https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/species-occurring-nh/common-nighthawk |website=New Hampshire Fish and Game Department}}</ref> The [[least nighthawk]] (''Chordeiles pusillus''), at 6.3 inches (15–19&nbsp;cm) and 23 grams (0.81&nbsp;oz), is the smallest of all [[Caprimulgiformes]], while the Nacunda nighthawk (''Chordeiles nacunda'') is one of the largest nightjars in the world measuring at 11-13 inches (28–33&nbsp;cm).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hellmich |first=Dominique |date=2020 |title=Least Nighthawk (Chordeiles pusillus), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/leanig1/cur/introduction?printable |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.leanig1.01 |issn=2771-3105|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago |url=https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/sites/default/files/lifesciences/documents/ogatt/Chordeiles_nacunda%20-%20Nacunda%20Nighthawk.pdf |website=UWI Saint Augustine}}</ref> Nighthawks have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves, aiding in protection from their primary predators; foxes and racoons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-14 |title=The 'Big Boom Theory' That Could Help Conserve Common Nighthawks {{!}} Audubon |url=https://www.audubon.org/news/the-big-boom-theory-could-help-conserve-common-nighthawks |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=www.audubon.org |language=en}}</ref> To promote concealment during the day, some species perch facing lengthwise along a branch, rather than across it as birds usually do.<gallery widths="200px" heights="140px">
File:IGP4727_(3).jpg|Nighthawk wing markings
File:IGP4748.jpg|A nighthawk resting on a branch
</gallery>