Perch Supply
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)

Eastern Whip-poor-will

Antrostomus vociferus. Moths and beetles caught in flight on moonlit nights.

Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)Eastern Whip-poor-willAntrostomus vociferus
Scientific name
Antrostomus vociferus
Length
8.7–10.2 in
Weight
1.5–2.3 oz
Nest
No nest — eggs on leaf litter in open woodland
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
2 eggs
Incubation
19–21 days
Broods
1–2 per season

Identification

  • Mottled grey-brown, superbly camouflaged
  • Rounded wings and long tail
  • Huge dark eyes shine in torchlight

Voice

The tireless nocturnal chant — 'whip-poor-WILL'.

Diet and feeding

Moths and beetles caught in flight on moonlit nights.

What do whip-poor-wills eat? · Best feeder for whip-poor-wills

Eastern Whip-poor-wills by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederApril–July
ArkansasSummer breederMay–July
ConnecticutSummer breederMay–July
DelawareSummer breederMay–July
FloridaWinter visitor—
GeorgiaSummer breederApril–July
IllinoisSummer breederMay–July
IndianaSummer breederMay–July
IowaSummer breederMay–July
KansasSummer breederMay–July
KentuckySummer breederMay–July
LouisianaSummer breederApril–July
MaineSummer breederJune–July
ManitobaSummer breederJune–July
MarylandSummer breederMay–July
MassachusettsSummer breederMay–July
MichiganSummer breederMay–July
MinnesotaSummer breederJune–July
MississippiSummer breederApril–July
MissouriSummer breederMay–July
NebraskaSummer breederMay–July
New BrunswickSummer breederJune–July
New HampshireSummer breederJune–July
New JerseySummer breederMay–July
New YorkSummer breederMay–July
Newfoundland and LabradorSummer breederJune–July
North CarolinaSummer breederMay–July
North DakotaSummer breederJune–July
Nova ScotiaSummer breederJune–July
OhioSummer breederMay–July
OklahomaSummer breederMay–July
OntarioSummer breederJune–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–July
Prince Edward IslandSummer breederJune–July
QuebecSummer breederJune–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederMay–July
South CarolinaSummer breederApril–July
South DakotaSummer breederMay–July
TennesseeSummer breederMay–July
TexasSummer breederApril–July
VermontSummer breederJune–July
VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
West VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
WisconsinSummer breederJune–July

Frequently asked

What do whip-poor-wills eat?

Moths and beetles caught in flight on moonlit nights. At feeders: none — open dry woodland floor is the habitat.

How big is a Eastern Whip-poor-will?

8.7–10.2 in long and 1.5–2.3 oz.

Do whip-poor-wills use birdhouses?

No. No nest — eggs on leaf litter in open woodland.

Sources

  1. Eastern Whip-poor-will — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Eastern Whip-poor-will life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Eastern Whip-poor-will — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.