Animalia Life

Caprimulgus vociferus
SUBFAMILY
Caprimulginae
TAXONOMY
Caprimulgus vociferus Wilson, 1812, eastern United States. Six subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Engoulevent bois-pourri; German: Schwarzkehlnachtschwalbe; Spanish: Chotacabras Cuerporruнn.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
9–10 in (23–26 cm); 1.5–2.4 oz (42–69 g). Grayish brown, blackish brown, tawny, buff, and whitish cryptic coloration. Sexually dimorphic.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds in eastern North America from southern Canada southwards, in Cuba, and in Central America south to Honduras; migrates from northern part of range for winter.
HABITAT
Forests and open woodlands.
BEHAVIOR
Roosts during day; active from dusk until before dawn. Distinctive nocturnal song “whip’ poor weel’” is basis of English name.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds on insects caught in flight, often on short sallying flights from a perch.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Unlined nest on ground with clutch of two eggs. Eggs are white to pale cream, usually with spots or small blotches of gray and brown. Incubation mainly by female for period of 19–20 days. Small young have pale buff to yellowish brown down. Young can first fly when about 20 days old.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Rarely noticed by humans, except for its distinctive nocturnal calls.

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