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So, What's a Whip-poor-will?
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Whip-poor-will - Photo by Sandy Selesky
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Whip-poor-wills belong to an unusual family of birds called nightjars - because their loud repetitive songs "jar" the silence of the night - or goatsuckers - because of a superstition that these birds fly into farmyards during the night and drink milk from the livestock. The name Whip-poor-will and that of many other nightjars - approximates what the bird seems to say.
Listen to the whip-poor-will's song (MP3 288 KB - recording © Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio).
Appearance
The plumage of a Whip-poor-will, like that of most of its relatives, has evolved to closely resemble the branches and forest leaf litter on which the birds nest and roost during the day. This "trick" (called cryptic coloration) works so well that the birds are almost never seen in daytime unless they are in danger of being stepped on and fly away. The dead leaf pattern of the feathers is also very beautiful, even though it consists mainly of browns and grays. Males have a white collar on the upper breast and white corners on the tails, which are lacking in females.
Feeding
Whip-poor-wills feed in very low light starting about half an hour after sunset and before sunrise or when the moon provides enough light during the night. They are sometimes described as "aerial vacuum cleaners" because they fly though the night sky capturing moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and other insects in their enormous open gapes. They also fly out from perches like flycatchers to capture prey and have been seen to beat moths from foliage with their wings. They often feed and rest in pastures and other open areas, but the widespread belief that they suck the teats of farm animals is pure superstition.
Nesting
Whip-poor-wills make no nest but lay their two eggs directly on the ground. Blotched with browns and grays against a creamy white background, they blend perfectly with the leaf litter. There are reports that the parents will move the eggs by carrying them in their mouth or tucked between the legs if the nest is disturbed, but like many "facts" about Whip-poor-will behavior, this one needs further confirmation.
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