The Eastern Whip-poor-will is a nocturnal bird species found in North and Central America. It belongs to the nightjar family, which also includes nighthawks and Chuck-will’s-widows.

Whip-poor-wills prefer habitats with open woodlands, scrubby areas, and fields, and are often found in mixed or deciduous forests. They are generally distributed across eastern and central North America, as well as parts of Mexico and Central America. Whip-poor-wills face some conservation concerns, including habitat loss. Monitoring and protecting their habitats are crucial for their long-term survival.

Whip-poor-will Research

Critical information is currently lacking regarding the reproductive success, nest predation rates, and dietary composition of Whip-poor-wills during their breeding season in Maine. Furthermore, there is little knowledge concerning the migratory ecology of Whip-poor-wills in the state, with a lack of essential details such as migratory timings, pathways, migratory connectivity, stopover locations, and potential threats.

In 2023, The Maine Natural History Observatory partnered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and BRI to expand the study of Maine’s nightjars including the Whip-poor-will. The primary objective of this project is to complement ongoing monitoring initiatives by collecting essential data in these areas of Whip-poor-will ecology. The research initiative will encompass nesting ground surveys and movement studies conducted in four sub regions within the state to gain insight on this species and guide effective management strategies.

This collaborative research effort is funded, in large part, by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.