Chuck-will's-widow

Chuck-will's-widow
File:Chuck-wills-widow RWD7.jpg
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Subclass:	Neornithes
Infraclass:	Neognathae
(unranked):	Cypselomorphae
Order:	Caprimulgiformes
Family:	Caprimulgidae
Subfamily:	Caprimulginae
Genus:	Antrostomus
Species:	A. carolinensis
Binomial name
Antrostomus carolinensis Gmelin, 1789
Synonyms
Caprimulgus carolinensis

The chuck-will's-widow (Antrostomus carolinensis) is a nocturnal bird of the nightjar family Caprimulgidae. It is found in the southeastern United States near swamps, rocky uplands, and pine woods. It migrates to the West Indies, Central America, and northwestern South America. This bird is generally confused with the better-known whippoorwill (Antrostomus vociferus), due to their similar calls and unusual names. Though rather closely related, they are two distinct species.

A fairly typical nightjar, it has a short bill and a long tail typical of the family. This species has mottled brownish underparts, a buff throat, reddish-brown feathers lined with black, and brown and white patterning on head and chest, differing from the gray and black of its more common cousin. Males have patches of white on their outer tail feathers. It is the largest nightjar in North America. In length, it ranges from 28 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in). The wingspan can range from 58 to 66 cm (23 to 26 in). The body mass of the species is from 66 to 188 g (2.3 to 6.6 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 20.1 to 22.5 cm (7.9 to 8.9 in), the tail is 13 to 15.1 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in), the bill is 1.1 to 1.4 cm (0.43 to 0.55 in) and the tarsus is 1.5 to 1.9 cm (0.59 to 0.75 in).

Its common name derives from its continuous, repetitive song that is often heard at night. This consist of a series of calls with a vibrating middle note between two shorter notes, not much shifting in pitch. It is slower, lower-pitched and less piercing than the song of the whip-poor-will. "Chuckwuts-widow" is another common name less often found, but also imitating the rhythm of the bird's calls. Other alternative names include "Chip-fell-out-of-a-oak".

It eats primarily insects, particular those active at night such as moths, beetles, and winged ants. It will also eat small birds and bats, swallowing them whole.

Females do not build nests, but rather lay eggs on patches of dead leaves on the ground. The eggs, which are pink with spots of brown and lavender, are subsequently incubated by the female.

Gallery

• Chuck-will's-widow eggs RWD.jpg

  Eggs on nest of leaves

• Chuck-will's-widow RWD6.jpg

  Camouflaged female on nest

• Chuck-will's-widow RWD5.jpg

  Pretending to be hurt

• Chuck-will's-widow RWD2.jpg

  Perched on low, open branch

• Chuck-will's-widow RWD3.jpg

  Perched on low, open branch

• Caprimulgus carolinensisDF28N01B.jpg

  Adult male (upper right) and female (lower left)

References

• Stager, Kenneth E. (2007): Chuck-Will's-Widow. In: Encyclopedia Americana.

External links

• audubon.org
• Chuck-will's-widow – USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
• Chuck-will's-widow Species Account – Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Chuck-will's-widow Bird Sound