nighthawk

American  

[nahyt-hawk] / ˈnaɪtˌhɔk /

noun

1. any of several longwinged, American goatsuckers of the genus Chordeiles, related to the whippoorwill, especially C. minor, having variegated black, white, and buff plumage.

2. the European goatsucker or nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus.

3. Informal. a person who is habitually up or moving about late at night; night owl.

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nighthawk British  

/ ˈnaɪtˌhɔːk /

noun

1. Also called: bullbat.   mosquito hawk.  any American nightjar of the genus Chordeiles and related genera, having a dark plumage and, in the male, white patches on the wings and tail

2. informal another name for night owl

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Etymology

Origin of nighthawk

First recorded in 1605–15; night + hawk ¹

Example Sentences

Under what he called the “nighthawk project,” engineers pursued research around the clock, matching the rigor of production-line operations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cicadas may stop singing, bees might disappear to their hives, and songbirds may quiet while owls and nighthawks come out.

From National Geographic

There are rock wrens, nighthawks, mourning doves and lark buntings.

From Seattle Times

The sight of 'nighthawk' Stuart Broad padded up late in the day was a sign of England's intent.

From BBC

Whip-poor-wills and nighthawks, for example, feed on moths and other flying insects at night, foraging when there is less competition with other species.

From New York Times