Mexican whip-poor-will

The Mexican whip-poor-will, (Antrostomus arizonae), is a medium-sized (22–27 cm) nightjar from the southwestern United States and Mexico.[2] The whip-poor-will is more often heard within its range, but less often seen. It is named onomatopoeically after its song.[3]

Mexican whip-poor-will
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Genus: Antrostomus
Species:
A. arizonae
Binomial name
Antrostomus arizonae
Brewster, 1881
Synonyms

Caprimulgus arizonae

This bird used to be lumped with the eastern whip-poor-will. Each type has a different range and vocalization, the eggs have different coloration, and DNA sequencing shows enough differentiation to separate the two types into different species.[4]

Adults have mottled plumage: the upperparts are grey, black and brown; the lower parts are grey and black. They have a very short bill and a black throat. Males have a white patch below the throat and white tips on the outer tail feathers; in the female, these parts are light brown.[5]

Ecology

Their habitat is woodlands of southwestern United States, and Mexico. These birds forage at night, catching insects in flight, and normally sleep during the day.[6] Whip-poor-wills nest on the ground, in shaded locations among dead leaves, and usually lay two eggs at a time. The bird will commonly remain on the nest unless almost stepped upon.[7]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Antrostomus arizonae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22736398A95132894. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22736398A95132894.en.
  2. "Mexican Whip-poor-will". Audubon. 2014-11-13. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  3. "Mexican Whip-poor-will - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  4. Chesser, R. T., R. C. Banks, F. K. Barker, C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, I. J. Lovette, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr, J. D. Rising , D. F. Stotz, and K. Winker. 2010. Fifty-first supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 127(3):726-744.
  5. "Mexican Whip-poor-will - Introduction | Neotropical Birds Online". neotropical.birds.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  6. "Mexican Whip-poor-will - Introduction | Birds of North America Online". birdsna.org. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  7. "Mexican Whip-poor-will - Introduction | Birds of North America Online". birdsna.org. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
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