Whip-poor-wills were the first birds I tried to call (whistle) when I was a little girl in the south. I asked my dad what it was and he pointed one out to me. Thank you.
In the South, you were probably hearing and calling Chuck-will's-widow--a close relative of the whip-poor-will, and often called a whip-poor-will by people in the South. Listen to the song and see if it's familiar: <https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chuck-wills-widow/sounds>
Chickadee, Yes, that is it! I am so glad it what I remembered in the Pine forest of Mississippi and learned to whistle to. Relieved that the other was not it.
I heard both in the same night when I was visiting Middle Tennessee. I hadn’t heard a Whip-poor-will in decades so I was very excited. Then I heard the also distinctive Chuck-Will’s-Widow. That was a lifer for me!
The most memorable Whip-poor-will call I heard was at the outdoor American Players Theater in Spring Green WI at dusk during their presentation of a Midsummer’s Night Dream. The stage is surrounded by forest. It certainly added atmosphere to the play.
Sigh. It’s that time of year again, when the whip-poor-wills drive the campers nuts at the Rapids Archery Club in Andover, MN, during the annual Traditional 3D Shoot. I’m on record expressing a desire to employ lethal measures, deterred only by the presence of the Anoka County Sheriff HQ within earshot.
Just kidding. Sort of. Okay, okay, I will confess to enjoying their presence. Mostly. ;-)
Whip-poor-wills were the first birds I tried to call (whistle) when I was a little girl in the south. I asked my dad what it was and he pointed one out to me. Thank you.
In the South, you were probably hearing and calling Chuck-will's-widow--a close relative of the whip-poor-will, and often called a whip-poor-will by people in the South. Listen to the song and see if it's familiar: <https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chuck-wills-widow/sounds>
Chickadee, Yes, that is it! I am so glad it what I remembered in the Pine forest of Mississippi and learned to whistle to. Relieved that the other was not it.
I heard both in the same night when I was visiting Middle Tennessee. I hadn’t heard a Whip-poor-will in decades so I was very excited. Then I heard the also distinctive Chuck-Will’s-Widow. That was a lifer for me!
The most memorable Whip-poor-will call I heard was at the outdoor American Players Theater in Spring Green WI at dusk during their presentation of a Midsummer’s Night Dream. The stage is surrounded by forest. It certainly added atmosphere to the play.
Sigh. It’s that time of year again, when the whip-poor-wills drive the campers nuts at the Rapids Archery Club in Andover, MN, during the annual Traditional 3D Shoot. I’m on record expressing a desire to employ lethal measures, deterred only by the presence of the Anoka County Sheriff HQ within earshot.
Just kidding. Sort of. Okay, okay, I will confess to enjoying their presence. Mostly. ;-)