Commonly Confused Species: Mourning dove is a similar size and shape to a common nighthawk. It often flies to roost about the time that nighthawks are becoming active. It is most likely to be confused with a female nighthawk coming in quietly to a nest site. Mourning doves lack the white wing patches of the nighthawk. Killdeer have pointed wings like a nighthawk and are a similar size. They also nest on the ground in open habitat, including stone rooftops. They have a white breast with two dark breast bands and are not likely to be confused with nighthawks if they are seen well. However, at dusk, they may present a similar silhouette and lift off from the ground or rooftop where nighthawks might also be expected. Eastern whip-poor-will and common nighthawk may occupy the same habitat and look similar when roosting, but whip-poor-wills are seldom spotted during the day and readily told apart by voice at night.