Nightjars and whippoorwills are two types of birds that are often confused with each other. At a glance, they may appear very similar and share some characteristics, but they are actually distinct species with key differences.
What is a nightjar?
A nightjar is a medium-sized nocturnal bird that belongs to the Caprimulgidae family. There are over 90 different species of nightjars found in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. Some common names for different nightjar species include European nightjar, Egyptian nightjar, and Chotacabras.
Nightjars are named for their loud calls that can often be heard at night in their breeding habitats. Their scientific name Caprimulgidae comes from the Latin words caprimulgus meaning “goatsucker”, referring to an old myth that nightjars would drink goat milk at night.
Some key features of nightjars include:
– Camouflage plumage – usually brown, black, grey, and white patterns that blend in with trees and ground
– Large eyes for excellent night vision
– Small feet and short legs
– Very short bills with a wide gape
– Long and pointed wings for swift, silent flight
– Cryptic, well-camouflaged eggs laid directly on the ground
Nightjars are mostly active at dusk, night, and dawn when they use their supreme aerial abilities to hunt insects on the wing. During the day, they are well-camouflaged when roosting on the ground or lengthwise on branches. They nest on the ground in scrublands, forests, and heath habitats.
What is a whippoorwill?
The whippoorwill is a specific species of nightjar found in North America and parts of Central America. Its scientific name is Antrostomus vociferus. There are two other closely-related species called the Mexican whippoorwill (Antrostomus arizonae) and the Dusky-capped whippoorwill (Antrostomus saturatus).
Whippoorwills get their common name from the onomatopoetic “whip-poor-will” call the male makes repeatedly through the night during breeding season to defend its territory and attract females. This repetitive whip-poor-will song can be heard up to 0.6 miles away on a quiet night.
Some key features of the whippoorwill include:
– Sandy brown plumage mottled with black, white, and gray markings
– Very effective camouflage against leaf litter on the ground
– Large eyes for excellent night vision
– Large black bill with stiff rictal bristles (whiskers)
– Dark grey tips on the end of the tail feathers
– Grayish white eggs heavily marked with lavender speckles
Whippoorwills breed in deciduous or mixed forests across eastern North America. They nest on the ground in shaded, wooded areas and feed exclusively on night-flying insects. During the day, they roost motionless on the forest floor.
Similarities between nightjars and whippoorwills
As you can see, the whippoorwill belongs to the nightjar family, so these two kinds of birds share many common traits and features:
– Nocturnal activity patterns – both are most active at night when they hunt insects on the wing
– Camouflage plumage – excellent mottled patterns blend in against the ground and woody debris when roosting
– Large eyes adapted for excellent night vision
– Small feet and short legs
– Wide gaping mouths and small yet sturdy beaks for catching insects in flight
– Short legs and small feet
– Nest on the ground and have cryptic eggs that blend in
– Primarily eat insects caught during sallies and short aerial pursuits
– Can turn their heads almost 360 degrees to spot prey all around
– Make similar rattling, buzzing “wing noise” from modified outer primary feathers when flying
– Males perform display flights and sing at night to attract females during breeding season
So in summary, the whippoorwill exhibits all the classic nightjar features that provide adaptations for its nocturnal lifestyle hunting insects. It is just one specific species within the larger nightjar family.
Differences between nightjars and whippoorwills
While nightjars and whippoorwills belong to the same family and share many attributes, there are some key differences between them:
– Geographical distribution – Nightjars have a very wide range across the globe while whippoorwills are only found in North and Central America.
– Size – On average, most nightjars are slightly larger than whippoorwills. Whippoorwills have an average length around 9.5 inches and weigh 1.5 to 2 ounces.
– Plumage colors – Nightjars exhibit more variation in plumage patterns and colors compared to whippoorwills. Whippoorwills are specifically a mottled brown, black, white, and gray.
– Whiskers – Whippoorwills have prominent stiff, black rictal bristles by the base of the beak unlike most other nightjar species.
– Voice – The iconic “whip-poor-will” song given repeatedly by males is unique to this species. Most nightjars have more musical or buzzing call patterns.
– Habitat – Whippoorwills are exclusively found in forest environments while many nightjars inhabit more open scrublands, grasslands, and deserts.
– Migration – Most nightjars are year-round residents across their home ranges while whippoorwills are long-distance nocturnal migrants between North America and Central America.
– Diet – Whippoorwills feed almost entirely on moths and other night-flying insects. Some nightjars occasionally eat fruits or seeds as well.
So while very closely related, the differences in geographical range, size, appearance, habitat preferences, and migratory patterns make the whippoorwill a distinct species among the broader nightjar family.
Conclusion
In summary, nightjars and whippoorwills are often lumped together due to their extensive similarities as nocturnal insect-eating birds that are active at night and roost camouflaged on the ground during the day. However, the whippoorwill is just one particular species that falls under the larger nightjar family. While they share many common traits and adaptations, whippoorwills are specifically named for their “whip-poor-will” call and are only found in the Americas. So all whippoorwills are nightjars, but not all nightjars are whippoorwills. Being able to distinguish their unique differences allows birdwatchers to properly identify these fascinating nocturnal birds.