Eastern Whip-poor-will

Overview

The eastern whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) is a medium-sized nightjar native to North America that is often heard but rarely seen due to its effective camouflage. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List owing to a significant population decline over recent decades.

Identification

• Medium-sized bird measuring 22–27 cm in length with a wingspan of 45–50 cm.
• Mottled plumage featuring grey, black, and brown upperparts and grey and black lowerparts, with a black throat.
• Males possess a white patch below the throat and white tips on outer tail feathers, whereas females have light brown in these areas.
• Possesses a very short bill, 1 to 1.4 cm in length.

Habitat

Breeds in deciduous or mixed woods across central and southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. Winters in the southeastern United States, eastern Mexico, and Central America. Currently in decline partly due to the loss of early successional forest habitat.

Diet

Primarily consumes insects, with a particular preference for moths, as well as beetles and mosquitoes. Forages at night by catching insects in flight, while sleeping during the day.

Did you know?

Eastern whip-poor-wills are typically socially monogamous, yet one male was recorded attending the nests of two different females, possibly because one female's previous mate had recently died. The species is also subject to legends suggesting it can sense a soul departing, a belief used as a plot device in H. P. Lovecraft's The Dunwich Horror.