Eastern Whip-poor-will song and calls

Birdsong and calls are often the easiest way to identify the Eastern Whip-poor-will, especially when the bird is hidden in dense foliage. Below is what to listen for.

Song

The iconic song is a loud, emphatic, and repetitive 'WHIP-poor-WILL', with the accent on the first and last syllables. It is often repeated for extended periods, sometimes hundreds of times without pause. The 'whip' is a soft, almost inaudible introductory note, followed by the clear, whistled 'poor-WILL'.

Calls

Aside from the song, they have a soft 'chuck' or 'cluck' call, often given when flushed or in alarm. Males may also give a low, guttural 'grrr' sound during territorial disputes or courtship.

When they vocalize

Primarily vocalizes from dusk through dawn, with peak calling activity often occurring during moonlit nights. Calling is most frequent during the breeding season (late spring and early summer).

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