It's probably a night hawk. I think that's the right name. They have a nest on or near the ground, and at dusk they will start flying high overhead looking for predators. They will swoop down and almost hit you in the head, and they make the strangest sound. I used to walk my dog after dark and would encounter them frequently, especially in the spring.
From Wikipedia: "The common nighthawk is a medium-sized crepuscular or nocturnal bird of the Americas within the nightjar family, whose presence and identity are best revealed by its vocalization. Typically dark, displaying cryptic colouration and intricate patterns, this bird is difficult to spot with the naked eye during the day. "
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It's harder to hate close up.
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