The Eastern whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) is a medium-sized member of the nightjar family. It is found in North America and is commonly heard within its range, but less often seen because of its camouflage. It is named onomatopoeically after its song.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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GlidingGliding flight is heavier-than-air flight without the use of thrust and is employed by gliding animals. Birds in particular use gliding flight to m...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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Camouflaged AnimalsEastern whip-poor-wills are characterized by long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Adults have mottled plumage. Their upperparts are grey, black, and brown in color; the lower parts are grey and black. Males have a white patch below the throat and white tips on the outer tail feathers; in the female, these parts are light brown.
Eastern whip-poor-wills breed across central and southeastern Canada and the eastern United States and migrate to the southeastern United States and to eastern Mexico and Central America for the winter. These birds prefer to live in deciduous or mixed woods with little underbrush but can also be found in wetland habitats and farmlands.
Eastern whip-poor-wills are generally solitary preferring to spend time on their own; however, during migration, they may form loose flocks. These birds forage at night, catching insects on the wing, and normally sleep during the day on the ground or on low-lying branches. Named after their song, Eastern whip-poor-wills are commonly heard within their range, but less often seen because of their camouflage which provides protection from predation.
Eastern whip-poor-wills are carnivorous (insectivorous) birds. They feed on various insects including moths, beetles, mosquitoes, flies, bees, and wasps.
Eastern whip-poor-wills arrive on their breeding grounds in March. They nest on the ground, in shaded locations among dead leaves, and usually lay 2 eggs at a time. Incubation lasts 19-21 days performed by both parents. The chicks hatch well developed covered in down but with their eyes closed. They are fed and protected by both parents and start to fly at the age of 20 days. Eastern whip-poor-wills usually produce 1 or 2 broods per year and females may lay a second clutch while the male is still caring for chicks from the first brood.
The main threats to the Eastern whip-poor-wills include habitat loss and degradation. They are also vulnerable to predation by feral cats and dogs, poisoning by insecticides, and collisions with traffic as they often sit at the side of roads.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Eastern whip-poor-will is 1,800,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.