Chuck-will's-widow

30 cm (12") Fairly common but local. Eastern United States. Nocturnal. Feeds on flying insects. Nests on forest floor. Pine or oak-pine woodlands, especially near streams and rivers. Largest nightjar. Mottled reddish-brown above and below; short, rounded wings without wing patches; long, rounded tail; brown throat; thin light necklace - white in males, buffy in females.  In flight; males also show white outer tail feathers.

Song: loud whistling "chuck-will's-widow".

Videos

Images

Credit: Glen Peterson

Credit: Dave Govoni

Credit: ajmexico

Distribution Maps

Chuck-will's-widow winter distribution map

Chuck-will's-widow distribution map