Chuck-will's-widow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chuck-will's-widow |
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| Female | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Antrostomus
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| Species: |
carolinensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Caprimulgus carolinensis |
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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.
Taxonomy
This bird is generally confused with the better-known whippoorwill (Antrostomus vociferus), because of their similar calls and unusual names. Though rather closely related, they are two distinct species.
Description
The chuck-will's-widow has a short bill and a long tail typical of the nightjars. It has mottled brownish underparts, a buff throat, reddish-brown feathers lined with black, and brown and white patterning on head and chest. 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).
Call
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. Alternative names include "Chuckwuts-widow" and "Chip-fell-out-of-a-oak."
Diet
It eats primarily insects, particularly those active at night such as moths, beetles, and winged ants. It will also eat small birds and bats, swallowing them whole.
Breeding
Females 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
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Eggs on leaves
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Camouflaged female on nest
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Mimicking a Cottonmouth snake
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Perched on a branch
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Perched on a branch
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Adult male (upper right) and female (lower left)
- Stager, Kenneth E. (2007): Chuck-Will's-Widow. In: Encyclopedia Americana.
Images for kids
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South Padre Island - Texas
See also
In Spanish: Antrostomus carolinensis para niños
