Mexican Whip-poor-will
Antrostomus arizonae
The Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae) is a uncommon nightjars and nighthawk found in 6 countries, weighing about 53 g. The Mexican whip-poor-will,, is a medium-sized nightjar of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and northern Central America.
About the Mexican Whip-poor-will
The Mexican whip-poor-will,, is a medium-sized nightjar of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and northern Central America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Mexican whip-poor-will is 23 to 24 cm (9.1 to 9.4 in) long and weighs 45 to 50 g (1.6 to 1.8 oz). In general its upperparts are grayish brown with blackish brown streaks; the crown has wide blackish brown stripes. The throat and breast are blackish with a thin white band on the lower throat between them. The belly is buff with brown bars. The male's outermost three pairs of tail feathers have broad white tips; the female's are narrower and buffy. The wings are brown with tawny and buff spots and speckles. The subspecies differ somewhat. Voice: The Mexican whip-poor-will is more often heard than seen. Its song is an onomatopoeic whip-poor-will like that of its eastern congener, but lower in pitch and "less 'snappy' and slightly 'lazier'". It also makes a variety of other sounds including "a single, low, mellow quirt or queerp note", a growl, and a "growl-chuck".
What the Mexican Whip-poor-will sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Mexican Whip-poor-will?
- The Mexican whip-poor-will is 23 to 24 cm (9.1 to 9.4 in) long and weighs 45 to 50 g (1.6 to 1.8 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Mexican Whip-poor-will?
- The Mexican Whip-poor-will is a small sized bird weighing about 53 g.
- Where can you see a Mexican Whip-poor-will?
- The Mexican Whip-poor-will occurs in 6 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
- What does a Mexican Whip-poor-will sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Mexican Whip-poor-will on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Mexican Whip-poor-will?
- The Mexican Whip-poor-will is most easily confused with the Rufous Nightjar, the Buff-collared Nightjar and the Dusky Nightjar.
- Is the Mexican Whip-poor-will endangered?
- The Mexican Whip-poor-will is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Mexican Whip-poor-will for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.