Vol. 49 No. 01 September 1982
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STERN TANAGER LOS Angeles Alldubon Society Volume 49 Number 1 September 1982 The Identification of Common and Lesser Nighthawks by Kimball Garrett and Jon Dunn Common ur two nighthawks (genus Chor- deiles) are quite different in seasonal and geographical distribution in southern California; fundamental to an under- standing of such differences is the correct allocation of sightings to species. In this note we discuss the major field characters which should separate virtually all individuals. We also briefly treat age, sex, and geographical variation in each species; such variation is especially pronounced in the Common Night- hawk ( C. minor). The Lesser Nlghthawk (C. acutipennii) is our more widespread species. It breeds through most of our desert areas, north to Mono County and west to the Antelope and Lesser San Joaquin Valleys. Small populations also breed on the coastal slope, especially where broad, dry gravel washes exist below foothill canyons. Transients are often noted away from breeding areas, particularly in fall. The few winter records are for the southern coast and southern deserts; this species may be regular in small numbers in winter in the southeastern part of our region. Otherwise, the species is and in some adjacent valleys (e.g. Fish lake The illustrations for this article were drawn by generally not expected before mid-March or Valley of Mono Co. and adjacent Nevada). In Jonathan Alderjer. Jonathan is a Los Angeles artist after mid-October. these areas, Lesser Nighthawks are primarily whose interest in birds has recently become part of While numerous and widespread through restricted to the valley floors whereas Com- his artistic pursuits. He attended the University Of much of North America, the Common Night- Chicago and Cooper Union in New York City and mons range well up into adjacent mountain has lived in Los Angeles the past six years. hawk is decidedly uncommon in southern ranges. California. It is to be expected only near Calls: Commons are instantly recognized limited breeding areas in die northeastern San by their loud, nasal "peeent" calls, which they Bernardino Mountains and in the higher val- give frequently. Lessers are more silent, al- "blooms" of insects at considerable heights in leys of Inyo and Mono Counties. Common though they often give a low purr or trill when the late afternoon and early morning hours Nighthawks are among our latest spring arri- active at dusk. The diving courtship display of (often until mid-morning). Lessers, in contrast, vals; records prior to about 20 May are du- the Common is accompanied by a loud rarely forage more than about 25 meters off bious, as are those after mid-October (it is booming noise; courting Lessers may give odd the ground, and tend to work singly or in unrecorded in winter in North America). This whinnying noises. small, loose groups. Both species have erratic species is virtually unknown in southern Cali- Flight: Although there is clearly overlap, flight styles, with jerky wingbeats and frequent fornia away from its breeding grounds; only the average foraging height of the Common directional changes. Of the two, the Lesser has about half a dozen records of transients exist. Nighthawk is considerably higher than that the more erratic flight, and it utilizes somewhat Note that the breeding ranges of the two of the Lesser. We have often seen groups shallower wingbeats. nighthawks overlap in the upper Owens Valley of Common Nighthawks exploiting aerial continued on page 3 As I move into the position of President, Sandy Wohlgemuth will pass the hat of Execu- From the President tive Past President to Jean Brandt. Sandy will continue working on conservation matters and by Boh Shanman keep us up to date on what is happening in s we begin this new year at Audu- the environment with his excellent monthly bon, I would like to welcome every- column. A one back for another exciting and The remainder of last year's Board has challenging year for all of us. In my 2% years of returned to continue their excellent work. active participation in LA.A.S., I have been Carol Friedman, our Executive Secretary, and impressed with the dedication and enthusi- Andrea Kaufman, Registrar, round out the asm of the volunteers who keep the organiza- seven elected Board members. Marge Wohl- tion running on a daily basis. It is indeed an gemuth continues to run the House and honor to have been elected as the new Presi- coordinate the volunteers, and Olga Clarke dent, and I look forward to working with every- will continue to oversee the Bookstore opera- one to keep the Chapter moving on the course tions. Willabelle Maloney is continuing her offices, the bookstore, library and museum. set by Jean Brandt over the past three years. Education programs for grade-school chil- Plans are presently being developed for the Several Board members from this past year dren, and Ian Austin is already lining up an remodeling, which should be underway in have moved on, and thanks are due to them. excellent program of Field Trips for the year. two or three months. Some $14,000 in dona- Mary Test has been a dedicated and hard- Sandy Wohlgemuth and David White are con- tions were received after the fire, and this working Editor for the WESTERN TANAGER. tinuing their efforts on the environmental front money will be directed to the "new" House in We all appreciate the job she has done for the as Conservation Co-chairmen. Raye Galindo Long Hall. past two years. Art Cupples has been our will be striving to gain LAAS. positive Publicity The sad news is that the old Plummer House Treasurer for the past 3 years. He has skillfully again this year, and Roberta Shanman is in the will be demolished by the County. However, a handled and invested the Society's funds dur- final stages of reestablishing the Library and plaque commemorating Plummer House will ing this period, so that we are financially shelving the many books received following be placed in the area presently occupied by stronger than we have ever been. Dorothy the fire. Herb Clarke, whose advice and coun- the structure. Anew estate-type fence will be Dimsdale served us capably this past year as sel are sought almost continually, has been erected, and LAAS. will restore and maintain ourRecording Secretary, butchose not to con- appointed as Special Advisor to the Board. the garden, which is a registered bird sanctuary. tinue on this year. Hopefully, her bright articles On behalf of the Board, and all the members, We will be having a FIRE SALE on October will continue to appear in the TANAGER. I pass on a sincere thank you to Jean Brandt, 16 in Great Hall, opposite our new offices. who has served as President for the past 3 Fire-damaged (mostly smoke) articles from years following more than 10 years of service the bookstore will be available at reduced as a "regular" volunteer. During the past three prices. Many donated art items will also be years, Jean has successfully guided LA.A.S. available for purchase, and a silent auction for through its first major publication— The Birds duplicate copes of rare and/or out-of-print of Southern California: Status and Distribu- books from the library will be held. Details tion, by Kimball Garrett and Jon Dunn. She appear elsewhere in this issue of the TAN- has committed LAAS. to being a strong support- AGER, and will be repeated again next month. er of the Southern California Coordinating There will be many issues to deal with this Council, an association of the 22 Southern coming year on the environmental front. California chapters of Audubon, both actively Locally we will be voting in November on a We have three new faces on the Board this participating in the council and hosting several Bottle-and-Can Bill, and the Water Rights year. Brian Kahn is our new 2nd Vice-president, of the meetings. She has been dedicated to Initiative. We will continue our efforts to re- replacing Ken Kendig, who has moved up to two of our most important projects—National store the marsh at Malibu Lagoon and to protect 1st Vice-president. Dexter Kelly has taken on Audubon's Mono Lake Suit, and the Condor other threatened wetland areas. We will also the position of Treasurer and Marilyn Cooper Captive Breeding Program. And it was with continue our support for the Mono Lake case has accepted the duties of Recording Secretary. Jean's leadership and energy, along with die and the Mono Lake Committee in their efforts Welcome aboard to each of you. Two individu- support of many others, that quickly led us out to educate the public about the Lake and the als never far away from the center of activity of the fire disaster last November, and had the need for water conservation here in the South- for the Chapter have returned to the Board in Chapter functioning again in a matter of weeks. land. We will continue to seek support from new positions this year, and we are very Again Jean, from all of us, thank you for your our members in writing Congressmen on excited to have them back. We are looking service and dedication. issues of national importance such as funding forward to an excellent series of programs this Some good news and some sad news 'for the recently renewed Endangered Species year, ably put together by Kimball Garrett. In regarding Audubon House. As many of you Act, the passing of stronger Clean Air and addition to our regular programs, Kimball is know, the County Parks and Recreation Depart- Clean Water Acts, and preventing the EPA and contemplating our first annual (we hope) ment has been very desirous of our staying in the President from allowing the reintroduction Members' Photography Contest.