Whip-poor-will

The Whip-poor-will is heard more often than seen, as it chants it's whip-poor-will in rapid succession, often for long periods of time.  During daylight hours, they sleep motionless on the forest floor, and can be very difficult to spot because of their mottled camouflaged feathering.  Probably the easiest way to spot a bird in the daytime is if the nest is approached too closely, which often prompts the parent to hover in place while investigating the intruder.  There are slight but distinct differences in plumage and voice between eastern and western populations in North America, and there is some who classify the two as different species.

Habitat: Prefers deciduous to mixed forests.

Diet: Insects, primarily night-flying insects.

Behavior: Nocturnal forager, although much of its foraging is done near dawn and dusk, or under the light of a nearly full moon.  Captures insects by flying out from a perch and snagging them in mid-air, or by catching insects while in continuous flight.

Nesting: May and June

Song: A loud rolling whip-poor-will, repeated rapidly, sometimes for long periods of time .  Click to listen to the Whip-poor-will song.

Migration: Summers throughout most of the eastern U.S., extreme southeastern Canada, and locally in the Southwestern U.S.  Winters in the extreme southeastern U.S., Mexico, and Central America. 

Interactive eBird map: Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Whip-poor-will sightings

Similar Species: Chuck-will's Widow, Common Nighthawk

Conservation Status: Has declined in number in the eastern United States in the past few decades, for reasons that aren't well understood.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Whip-poor-will

2) Audubon Guide - Whip-poor-will

3) WhatBird - Whip-poor-will

Photo Information: Photo courtesy of Andy Reaggo & Crissy McClarren