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Whippoorwill (Whip-poor-will)

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Caprimulgus vociferus
Whippoorwill (Whip-poor-will)

Range

They breed from central Canada east to the Atlantic coast and south to Georgia and in small pockets in the southwestern U.S. to Central America. They winter in the southeastern U.S. into Central America.

Habitat

They live in open woodlands near fields.

Body Traits

They are a mottled brown bird with a small beak and large mouth. They have a flat head. They have a black face and throat separated by a white neckband. Their colors make them blend in really well with the forest floor. Males and females look alike.

Habits

They are nocturnal, calling at dusk.

Diet

They eat moths and other insects caught in flight.

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School subscriptions can access more than 175 downloadable unit bundles in our store for free (a value of $1,500).

District subscriptions provide huge group discounts for their schools. Email for a quote: sheri@exploringnature.org.

Reproduction

They don’t make a nest. Female lays 2 cream-colored eggs with spots on the leaf litter.

Whippoorwill (Whip-poor-will)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae/Subfamily: Caprimulginae
Genus:  Caprimulgus
Species: C. vociferus

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