The whippoorwill is a North American bird that is nocturnal, or active at night. It is named for its call. As this bird swoops across the sky hunting insects, it calls three whistled notes—whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. It may repeat this call 400 times without stopping.

Where whippoorwills live

Whippoorwills can be found from southeastern Canada to the eastern United States and from the southwestern United States throughout Mexico. They may spend the winter as far south as Costa Rica. Whippoorwills make their nests in woods near open country.

Physical characteristics

Whippoorwills are about 9¹/₂ inches (24 centimeters) long. They have spotted brownish feathers. Males have a white collar and white tail corners. The female's tail is plain.

Behavior

Whippoorwills search for insects around dusk and dawn. By day, they sleep on the forest floor or perch lengthwise on a branch.