Diet
What do whip-poor-wills eat?
Moths and beetles caught in flight on moonlit nights.
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)Eastern Whip-poor-willAntrostomus vociferus
Spring and summer diet
- Moths, beetles, mosquitoes and winged ants
Fall and winter diet
- Migrates to Mexico and Central America
Best feeder foods
- None — open dry woodland floor is the habitat
Heard rather than seen; times its nesting to the moon so bright nights coincide with feeding young.
Where whip-poor-wills need winter food
Regions where whip-poor-wills are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do whip-poor-wills eat?
Moths and beetles caught in flight on moonlit nights.
What is the best food to feed whip-poor-wills?
None — open dry woodland floor is the habitat.
What do whip-poor-wills eat in winter?
Migrates to Mexico and Central America.
Sources
- Eastern Whip-poor-will — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Whip-poor-will life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- 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.