Nighthawk Ranch was named after…. you guessed it- the Nighthawk! This graceful bird is prevalent in the area around the ranch, especially in the summer. The male Nighthawk has a dramatic booming display used during the breeding season. He flies around at a moderate height, then dives straight toward the ground. Somewhere just about two meters from the ground he turns upward.
At the bottom of the dive, he flexes his wings downward, and the air rushing through his wingtips makes a deep booming sound. The dives are directed at females, young nighthawks, intruders, and even people. It is during this mating ritual that the distinctive nighthawk sound can be heard.
