Eastern Whip-Poor-Will

night birds · camouflage · North America

Masters of camouflage. These medium-sized birds are so perfectly colored to blend in with tree bark and dead leaves that you'd walk right past one without noticing, even though you might hear their distinctive call all night long.

Named after its call. The bird gets its name from its loud, repeating song that really does sound like someone saying 'whip-poor-will' over and over, which is why people call it that rather than trying to remember a fancy scientific name.

Night hunting expert. These nightjars are active hunters after dark, swooping through the air with their wide mouths open to catch flying insects like moths and mosquitoes right out of the darkness.

Forest soundtracks. If you're camping or sitting outside at night in eastern North America during spring and summer, you're likely to hear the whip-poor-will's call echoing through the woods, making it one of nature's most famous nighttime sounds.

Heard more than seen. While this bird is super common and noisy throughout its range, actually spotting one is tricky because its brown and gray feathers make it practically invisible when it perches on branches or on the ground.