Chuck-will's-widow Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Adult
Eastern Whip-poor-will is smaller and grayer than Chuck-will’s-widow. Whip-poor-will's outer tail feathers have white tips, visible when the tail is spread in flight. Chuck-will’s-widow shows white only on the inner half of these feathers, so the tail appears much less white overall.
© Daniel Murphy | Macaulay LibraryIllinois, May 11, 2016Similar Species
Common Pauraque
Adult male
Common Pauraques have prominent white on the outer tail feathers and white slashes in the wings, visible in flight that Chuck-will's-widows do not have. They also have a longer tail.
© Paul Tavares | Macaulay LibraryCayo, March 05, 2015Similar Species
Common Nighthawk
Adult
Common Nighthawks have white slashes on the wings in flight that Chuck-will's-widows do not have. When perched, nighthawks have a smaller head and often choose a more conspicuous perch.
© Daniel Irons | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, August 23, 2016Main Species
Chuck-will's-widow
Adult
Large, flat-headed nightjar. Upperparts are mottled brown, buff, and black. In flight, males flash thin stripes of white on the tail. Males and females do not flash white in the wing.
© Kathy Doddridge | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 23, 2019Adult female
Flat-headed nightjar with a long tail and long, pointed wings. Females have a buffy spot on the tips of the outer tail feathers.
© Simon d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, May 23, 2019Adult
Roosts during the day on a branch or on the ground. Tends to roost in the same location night after night.
© Brad Walker | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, March 28, 2016Not all videos have sound
Adult
Extremely well camouflaged. Often roosts on the ground or tree branch during the day.
© David Hollie | Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, May 20, 2007Adult
Incessantly sings its name at night.
© Gregory Griffith | Macaulay LibraryJune 01, 1992Not all videos have sound
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Species in This Family
Nightjars and Allies(Order: Caprimulgiformes, Family: Caprimulgidae)
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