Prescribed fire regimes promote foraging habitat for an aerial insectivore (Common Nighthawk; Chordeiles minor) in longleaf pine ecosystems

Prescribed burning is widely used to manage threatened and endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis) and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems, but the consequences for non-target species of conservation concern remain poorly understood. We evaluated how prescribed fire season, recency, and frequency influenced abundances of Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor) and their insect prey in a longleaf pine forest in central Florida, USA. We conducted 216 point-count surveys over two seasons to model nesting and foraging Common Nighthawk abundances, and we quantified aerial insect prey using 74 samples from Malaise and UV light traps. Foraging nighthawk abundance was highest in frequently burned plots managed with growing-season fire, but only > 1 year after burning. In contrast, nesting nighthawk abundance was not affected by fire history, potentially because territorial exclusivity constrains nest densities. Neither nesting nor foraging nighthawk abundances were affected by prey abundances. Fire season, recency, and frequency interacted to influence prey communities, with all prey groups decreasing as fire frequency increased following recent dormant season burns. These results suggest that nighthawks select foraging habitat based on canopy structure rather than prey availability, favoring mature, open stands. Fire regimes implemented to benefit focal species—which include frequent, growing-season burns—can also support co-occurring taxa. Where burning across entire management units is not feasible, managers can implement smaller, dispersed burns to enhance habitat heterogeneity. This approach may facilitate more frequent burning, reduce burn deficits, and produce less smoke than large, infrequent burns.