Nightjars, Nighthawks

Chuck-will’s-widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis

Family Caprimulgidae (Nightjars, Nighthawks)

Size: 12"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Woodland areas with clearings

Chuck-will’s-widow is a highly camouflaged, fairly large nightjar with a fat head, big, dark eyes, and a tiny bill. The body is thick and broad around the midsection, giving a hunched appearance. It is overall rusty or brown gray and spotted and streaked with black. There are pale edges to the scapulars and a pale chin stripe above the dark breast. The tail is long and projects beyond the primaries. In flight note the long, pointed wings and white on the outer tail feathers in the male. Chuck-will’s-widow is nocturnal, feeding at night by springing from its perch or the ground for flying insects. During the day it roosts on the ground or in trees with its eyes closed. Its voice is somewhat like its name, chuck-wil-wi-dow. The adult is illustrated.