Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)

Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) - HBW 5, p. 349

French: Engoulevent bois-pourri German: Schwarzkehl-Nachtschwalbe Spanish: Chotacabras Cuerporruín
Other common names: Northern Whip-poor-will (vociferus); Mexican Whip-poor-will (arizonae group)

Taxonomy: Caprimulgus vociferus Wilson, 1812, Pennsylvania.
May form superspecies with C. noctitherus, with which formerly considered conspecific. Differences in vocalizations suggest that Central American races may be better split from nominate, as C. arizonae. Six subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

vociferus Wilson, 1812 - SC & SE Canada and EC & E USA; winters from SC & SE USA through Central America.
arizonae (Brewster, 1881) - SW USA S to C Mexico; winters in C Mexico.
setosus van Rossem, 1934 - E Mexico.

See all 6 subspecies

vociferus Wilson, 1812 - SC & SE Canada and EC & E USA; winters from SC & SE USA through Central America.
arizonae (Brewster, 1881) - SW USA S to C Mexico; winters in C Mexico.
setosus van Rossem, 1934 - E Mexico.
oaxacae (Nelson, 1900) - SW Mexico.
chiapensis (Nelson, 1900) - SE Mexico and highlands of Guatemala.
vermiculatus (Dickey & van Rossem, 1928) - highlands of Honduras and El Salvador.

Least Concern

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4 photos

Found late at night near the entrance, adult female. Locality Everglades National Park, Florida, USA (United States)
Paul Cools 5 February 2009 29 weeks ago 4.3
Portrait Locality San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Marcos Department, Guatemala (ssp arizonae)
Knut Eisermann 9 January 2011 1 year ago 3.9
bird photographed on a log near the boardwalk at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Locality Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio, USA (United States)
Tom Moxley 1 May 2010 1 year ago 3.2
Male on singing perch Locality Connecticut, USA (United States)
Michael DiGiorgio 7 July 2009 2 years ago 2.8