Nighthawks are not really hawks.  These birds are part of the nightjar family that has 67 other kinds. 
    The common nighthawk has a wide, white bar on its pointy wings.  It has a long, notched tail, a white throat, and tail patches.  The bottom of the bird is dark brown.   They are between 8 and 10 inches long.  It makes a sound like "peeent."  They usually are alone but some will travel with a flock when they migrate.
     Nighthawks live in milder, temperate North America.  They like to live in grasslands, open woods, and even cities.  Most nighthawks will travel south before winter and return again in the spring.  During the day, they will sit very still on a tree branch with their eyes shut.  They hunt for insects at night.  They catch hundreds of insects as they fly.
    After they mate, the female lays two eggs.  She lays them on the bare ground.  There is no nest.  If the nighthawks live in the city, they might lay them on the roof of a building.  The female keeps the eggs warm for 18 - 20 days until they hatch.  If the eggs don't stay warm, they won't hatch.  The male feeds the female who is warming the egg.  Later on, he gets food for the baby birds. After they are born, the babies stay with their mothers until their feathers are grown enough that they can fly.  It takes three weeks until the birds are ready to leave.  Baby birds are born when there are lots of insects for food.  Between April and the middle of July are times when the birds are born.  
    Scientists disagree whether nighthawks hibernate.  Most think that there is a 'sleep' time that is shorter and less deep than 'true' hibernation.   This torpor seems like that of the bear.  Nighthawks will go into torpor and stay in their nests for shorter times.   

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