Whip-poor-will

(Image Source)

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Subclass : Neornithes
Order : Caprimulgiformes
Family : Caprimulgidae
Subfamily : Caprimulginae
Genus : Caprimulgus
Species : vociferus

Length : 9-10in (23-25cm)
Wingspan : 16-20in (40.5-51cm)

IUCN Status : Least Concern

The Whip-poor-will is a migratory Nightjar that spends its summers in the Eastern United States and it's winters further south into Mexico and Central America. Their name is an onomatopoeia that reflects that type of sound that they make. In their range they are typically heard but not seen; Whip-poor-wills have grayish-brown mottled feathers that serves as excellent camouflage.

Whip-poor-wills are nocturnal predators, and feed off of flying insects. They hunt by waiting at a perch and then swooping down on their prey, they also sometimes chase after the insects for sustained flights.

Whip-poor-wills have some pretty interesting nesting habits. First off, they don't build nests at all, they lay their eggs on leaves. Eggs are laid in cycle with the moon phases, so that the adults are able to forage all night during the full moon. This allows them to feed their chicks more. After the chicks hatch they tend to stay spread out, hiding among the leaves so that it is more difficult for predators to find them.

Whip-poor-wills are least as being of Least Concern, but it is believed that they are declining in certain areas. Their camouflage makes it difficult to perform an accurate census.

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Tawny Frogmouth

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Caprimulgiformes
Family : Podargidae
Genus : Podargus 
Species : strigoides

Length : 9-21in (22.5-52.5cm)

IUCN Status : Least Concern

Tawny Frogmouths sure look like Owls, don't they? But they aren't! These birds, native to Australia, are actually more closely related to Nightjars and Whippoorwills. Tawny Frogmouths have a very large range across their home continent, and can be found in a multitude of woodland habitats.

Tawny Frogmouths are nocturnal, and nest in trees during they day. They have feathers that camouflage them, and make them difficult to see while on branches. When threatened, the straighten their bodies so that they resemble part of the tree. Young frogmouths are born in nests built in treeforms. They are covered in white down and will remain int he nest for about 4 weeks. Partners mate for life, and often reuse the same nest year after year.

Unlike Owls who hunt with their feet, Tawny Frogmouths hunt with their large mouths (their feet are actually pretty weak). They eat insects and other small invertebrates almost exclusively. Many birds hunt insects by flying around, but Frogmouths wait for their prey to come to them before pouncing down after it.

Tawny Frogmouths are one of my favorite birds, just based on their appearance alone. Do a Google Image Search for these guys, they have such awesome looking faces.

(Images are of the Tawny Frogmouth at the Milwaukee County Zoo, take by me.)

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