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Platte River Status: A common migrant and nesting species in the western half of the area; less common in the east. Occurrence dates at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 17 May to 6 September. Tout (1947) considered this a common summer resident in Lincoln County. Rosche (1979) found common nighthawk in the lower North Platte River Valley during 25 May to 11 September.

Breeding Range: A common nesting species in the Sandhills and in the western third of the Platte River Valley, especially in areas of mixed grasslands between the North and South Platte Rivers. Uncommon and local on the Eastern Plain and in the remainder of the Platte River Valley.

Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was estimated at 14,500 breeding pairs . Common nighthawk made up 0.5% of the total bird population those years.

Habitat: We found the highest mean breeding density in upland prairie (1.2 pairs/km²), followed by lowland forest (<0.2 pairs/km²). Common nighthawk also nests on flat gravel roof tops in residential areas. Kantrud and Kologiski (1982) found that nesting densities of common nighthawk in the northern Great Plains were highest in areas supporting arid soils, and speculated that this apparent preference may have been caused by diminished habitat availability in more intensively farmed areas. Kantrud and Kologiski observed that common nighthawk habitat was characterized by high cover values for short grasses or species indicative of overgrazing. The preference of this species for bare or sparsely vegetated areas for nesting is well known (Gross 1940).

Effect of Habitat Alteration: The apparent preference of common nighthawk for upland native grasslands suggests that the widespread conversion of that plant community to other uses has produced a negative impact on the species. Examination of the species breeding range in the study area indicates that it is largely absent from intensively farmed areas, primarily in the eastern half of the area.

Nesting Data: We have no confirmed records of nests or young from the study area. Egg dates in Kansas extend from 11 May to 30 June (Johnsgard 1979).