Field Guide/Birds/Caprimulgus vociferus
| Whip-poor-will | ||||||||||||||
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| Caprimulgus vociferus |
The Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, is a nightjar.
Adults have mottled plumage: the upperparts are grey, black and brown; the lower parts are grey and black. They have a very short bill and a black throat. Males have a white patch below the throat and white tips on the outer tail feathers; in the female, these parts are light brown.
Their breeding habitat is deciduous or mixed woods across eastern North America and the southwestern United States. They nest on the ground, in shaded locations, among dead leaves. This bird does not normally flush from the nest unless it is underfoot.
They migrate to the southeastern United States south to Central America.
These birds forage at night, catching insects in flight. They normally sleep during the day.
The Whip-poor-will is commonly heard but seldom seen; the name imitates this bird's call.
