Help? Raising a NightHawk, I need all the help I can get!!

[TesoroSena]

Hello. My dad brought me two nighthawk eggs his work rescued and asked me to incubate them and raise them. I understand our laws and limitations in Tennessee, and if things get bad while raising these I know people I can hand them off to, though I’m reluctant to do so. I need to get them in the incubator soon, but I am having a hard time finding information about them as hatchlings and incubation period. Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[GodLovesU]

Were the Eggs already being sat on and incubated?

 

[SilverBirds]

Are the eggs even developing yet? If they aren't just toss them.

 

[TesoroSena]

No eggs aren’t being sat on. We were hoping to artificially incubate them, but if you thinks it’s better to just throw them away we will.

 

[SilverBirds]

No eggs aren’t being sat on. We were hoping to artificially incubate them, but if you thinks it’s better to just throw them away we will.

Tossing them would be best. If they haven't even started to develop it's just an egg and there's nothing to be saved.

 

[GodLovesU]

I meant were the previously being incubated

 

[GodLovesU]

They

 

[TesoroSena]

I meant were the previously being incubated

No. My father found them laying about, didn’t know that was how a nighthawk laid them. He works in construction, they couldn’t have survived on the job site.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I found this:

common nighthawks often nest on flat gravel roofs. They don't build nests, but instead lay their eggs directly on the sand, gravel, leaves, or bare rock. Common nighthawks breed from mid-March to early October.

Likely the parent bird was disturbed by the construction activity and either abandoned the nest or just left it temporarily. In either case, incubation by the parent bird was interrupted and probably the eggs (or chicks, if there were any) have died. No telling how long the eggs had been left uncovered. I agree, best to toss them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Kildeer lay their eggs like that too. Don't suppose you have pics of the eggs?