There was a time when woods across central and southeastern North America were filled with the mysterious nighttime song of the Whip-poor-will. Often heard but not seen, this bird’s evocative call now evokes sadness and nostalgia for many, especially as its song slowly disappears across its range. The Whip-poor-will is a member of the nightjar family, birds known for their haunting songs and nocturnal habits. Like the Whip-poor-will, other nightjars like Chuck-will’s-widow and the Common Nighthawk are also declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use, among other human-caused threats. Watch this American Bird Conservancy webinar to learn more about these enigmatic birds, their conservation status, and what ABC and our partners are doing to ensure a future for species in decline. Presentations:
- Gretchen Newberry, author of the book “The Nighthawk’s Evening: Notes of a Field Biologist”
- Jeffery T. Larkin, Habitat Biologist at MassWildlife
- Anne Mini, Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture Science Coordinator, ABC
Check out our list of related resources: https://act.abcbirds.org/a/webinar-nightjars-2024