What kind of bird sounds like a jet?

[Robert White]

I went out on a hike today to take in a bit of nature and while doing so, saw two unidentified birds swoop down overhead. I never had the chance to get a good look, however, they made a very incredible sound that resembles that of a jet.

I was wondering if anybody knew of any kind of bird that could possibly make this kind of sound.

Thank you in advance. :)

Location: West Coast

[pdli...@gmail.com]

Sounds like Common Nighthawks. Where was the trail?

[Doug]

Hi,

Listen to a Common Nighthawk here (esp. at the ~25 second mark in the recording):

http://www.xeno-canto.org/13683

Does it sound similar to what you heard?

Doug

[Robert White]

It's the Blow-me-Down Nature Trail on the South Shore of the Bay of Islands (West Coast).

I listened to the clip but it didn't sound quite right. I did, however, find this clip of a common nighthawk on YouTube and at around 19 seconds he dives and makes a sound similar to what I heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kJXiFPnlIE

I'm thinking that you're both right. Does any other birds come to mind so that I can look into it?

[Jorge Luiz]

I´ve heard vultures making a jet plane like sound while diving

[John & Ivy Gibbons]

Might be worthwhile to check out Wilson’s Snipe, just in case