The eastern whip-poor-will is a medium-sized nightjar from North America. The whip-poor-will is commonly heard within its range, but less often seen because of its camouflage. It is named onomatopoeically after its song.

What happened to all the whippoorwills?

First, Whip-poor-wills are insectivores (insects are their primary food), and most of our insectivorous birds are in decline due to lack of food. Our widespread use of pesticides has resulted in an overall decline of insects, thereby affecting insectivorous birds (among other insectivores like bats).

Where can you find a whippoorwill?

The whippoorwill breeds from southeastern Canada throughout the eastern United States and from the southwestern United States throughout Mexico, wintering as far south as Costa Rica. In the middle of its range it is often confused with the chuck-will's-widow and the poorwill.