The whip-poor-will is a medium-sized nocturnal bird found in North America that is known for its distinctive vocalizations. The whip-poor-will gets its name from the “whip-poor-will” song the male bird sings repeatedly throughout the night during breeding season. This repetitive three-note call has a distinctive rhythm that sounds like the bird is saying “whip-poor-will.” If you’re familiar with the whip-poor-will’s unmistakable song, you may wonder what other bird species make similar vocalizations that can be confused with the whip-poor-will.
Birds With Similar “Whip” Sounds
There are a few bird species found in North America that make vocalizations containing repeating “whip” notes that are reminiscent of the whip-poor-will. Here are some of the most likely to be confused:
- Chuck-will’s-widow: This bird gets its name from its vocalization that sounds like it’s saying “chuck-will’s-widow” in a series of “whip” notes. The chuck-will’s-widow is a close relative of the whip-poor-will and overlaps in range. The chuck-will’s-widow’s song is faster paced and higher pitched than the whip-poor-will.
- Poorwill: The poorwill is another nightjar species that makes a fast series of “whip” notes followed by a concluding “poor.” Their range overlaps extensively with whip-poor-wills, so they can often be heard calling simultaneously at night.
- Eastern screech owl: When agitated, this small owl makes a bouncing, whistling call that has a rhythmic “whip” quality. However, it is faster paced than the whip-poor-will.
Birds With Trilled or Repeating Song Notes
In addition to the “whip” sound, the repetitiveness of the whip-poor-will’s song can cause it to be mistaken for other birds with highly repetitive trilled or staccato vocalizations. These include:
- American woodcock: During courtship displays, the male woodcock makes a distinctive, nasal “peent” call that it repeats rapidly for long periods. It has a trilling quality reminiscent of the repeated whip-poor-will notes.
- Northern flicker: The Northern flicker produces a loud, trailing call during breeding season that has a similar rhythm to the whip-poor-will, although the notes are sharper and not as evenly spaced.
- Yellow-bellied sapsucker: The sapsucker makes a mewing “meah” sound in a series repeater “meah” notes. When doing so from a distance, this can resemble the rhythmic quality of the whip-poor-will.
Nocturnal Birds With Distinctive Vocalizations
Since whip-poor-wills call at night, their distinctive song can be mistaken for other nocturnal birds with unique vocalization patterns, including:
- Common nighthawk: While not a songbird, the nighthawk has a call reminiscent of its name – a nasal “peent” much like the woodcock. In areas where nighthawks breed, this repetitive night call could potentially be mistaken for the whip-poor-will.
- Northern mockingbird: Mockingbirds are famous mimics, and sometimes mock the calls of whip-poor-wills at night where the two species’ ranges overlap.
- Barred owl: Barred owls make a distinctive hooting sequence, “who cooks for you, who cooks for all,” with a rhythmic quality not too far off from the whip-poor-will’s song.
Conclusion
With its unique and repetitive whip-poor-will song, the whip-poor-will stakes out its territory and attracts mates each breeding season. While several other bird species make sounds that bear some resemblance to the whip-poor-will, none match it exactly. The chuck-will’s-widow comes closest with its repetitive “whip” notes, while other candidates include the poorwill, American woodcock, and common nighthawk. Being able to distinguish the whip-poor-will’s unmistakable call from similar sound-alike species takes practice, but with experience birders can readily identify this fascinating nocturnal bird.
Additional Facts About the Whip-poor-will
Here are some additional facts about the whip-poor-will that bird enthusiasts may find interesting:
- Whip-poor-wills get their name from the onomatopoeic rendering of their repetitive three-note call.
- They are medium-sized nightjars, measuring about 9-11 inches in length with a wingspan around 18 inches.
- They have mottled brown, black, and grey plumage that provides excellent camouflage against the forest floor where they nest.
- Whip-poor-wills are found across much of the eastern and central United States and southeastern Canada.
- They spend the days sleeping on the ground, perfectly camouflaged, and only become active at dusk.
- Whip-poor-wills feed exclusively on insects, catching them on the wing.
- They nest on the ground in dense shrub or on forest floors with dead leaf litter.
- The male whip-poor-will establishes his territory and attempts to attract a mate with his incessant nightly singing.
- Both the male and female whip-poor-will sing, with the female sometimes joining in with a lower-pitched version.
- Whip-poor-will populations have declined significantly in recent decades due to habitat loss and predation.
The whip-poor-will holds a special place in the hearts of many birding enthusiasts. Their haunting nighttime calls evoke images of dark forests and summer nights. While they may have some sound-alike species, there is really nothing quite like the unmistakable song of the eastern whip-poor-will.
Common Questions About Whip-Poor-Wills
Why do whip-poor-wills call at night?
Whip-poor-wills are nocturnal birds that do most of their foraging and breeding behaviors at night. The males vocalize repeatedly throughout the night during breeding season to attract mates and establish their nesting territory. Their calls after dusk also help the birds avoid daytime predators.
Do whip-poor-wills migrate?
Yes, whip-poor-wills are migratory. They breed across much of eastern North America in spring and summer. By early fall, they migrate to the southeastern United States, Caribbean, and Central America to overwinter. Their winter range extends from southern Florida to Costa Rica.
How do you attract whip-poor-wills?
To attract whip-poor-wills to your property, keep or create areas with young open forest or forest edges. Maintain clearings with dead leaves and dense underbrush where the birds can nest and find insects to eat. Reducing nighttime lighting can also draw in these nocturnal birds.
Are whip-poor-wills endangered?
Whip-poor-wills are not currently considered globally endangered, but their populations in many regions have seen concerning declines. Habitat loss from development and agriculture, along with predation and vehicle collisions, have reduced their numbers. They are considered endangered, threatened, or a species of concern in many eastern states.
Conclusion
The whip-poor-will is a fascinating nocturnal bird with a distinctive vocalization that has endeared it to birdwatchers across its range. While several other bird species make sounds similar to the whip-poor-will’s repetitive “whip-poor-will” call, none are quite the same. Being able to identify the whip-poor-will by its song is a rewarding experience. If you hear an energetic repetition of “whip” notes sounding through the night woods, chances are it is the whip-poor-will staking out its territory and wooing a mate, continuing a magical summer serenade that has occurred for ages.