[Charlene Widmer]

Does anyone know what kind of bird is out around 4:00 in the morning, and sleeps in the street. It seems like it's guarding it's nest, because if I get near it, it dive bombs me. It has a distinct screech. I see and hear it also around 8:00pm at night, very high in the sky......Thank you

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Charlene Widmer

Does anyone know what kind of bird is out around 4:00 in the morning, and sleeps in the street.

Maybe it's a homeless bird?

[CFrance]

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. "

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by CFrance

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. "

Usually don’t nest in streets, on roof tops or tops of building that have tar and pebbles. Probably had juvenile close the just left the nest?