Chuck-Will's Widow -- South Dakota Birds

Chuck-Will's-Widow

Caprimulgus carolinensis

One of the nocturnal Nightjars, the Chuck-Will's-Widow is named after its continuous, repetitive song that is often heard at night.  Primarily a bird of the southeastern United States, they are rare visitors to the state.  Extremely shy, Chuck-Will's-Widows will generally flush upon approach, moving away on silent wings.  

Habitat: Wooded habitats, including conifer, deciduous, and mixed forests.  

Diet: Primarily insects, especially large flying insects that are active at night.  Also will eat small birds, up to any size they can swallow whole.

Breeding: Rare breeder in South Dakota (Breeding Bird Survey map unavailable).

Song: Chuck-Will's-Widow Song 

Migrations: Summers in the southeastern quarter of the United States.  Winters in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, with some over-wintering in Florida. 

Similar Species: Whip-poor-will

Status: Possibly declining in parts of its range, due to habitat loss.

South Dakota "Hot-spot": Birders around Pierre have consistently found a Chuck-will's-widow below Oahe Dam during the past several summers.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Chuck-Will's-Widow

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Chuck-will's-widow"

3) E-nature.com: Chuck-Will's Widow

Photo Information: May 3rd, 2003 -- Cottonwood Forest below Oahe Dam in Stanley County - Doug Backlund

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This page was last edited on 02/08/08