Photo: Alan Schmierer / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Mexican Whip-poor-will
Antrostomus arizonae
Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae) — Nightjars & Allies of North America.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 53.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Caprimulgiformes
- Family Caprimulgidae Nightjars
- Genus Antrostomus
- Species arizonae
Quick facts
- Weight
- 53.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Caprimulgidae
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Mexican Whip-poor-will is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Mexican Whip-poor-will is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae) is a member of the Caprimulgidae family, within the order Caprimulgiformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA w USA s to Honduras.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 53.3 g, with a wing length of about 15.9 cm and a tail of around 11.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Mexican Whip-poor-will?
The Mexican Whip-poor-will is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 53.3 g.
Where does the Mexican Whip-poor-will live?
The Mexican Whip-poor-will is found across North America with a range covering NA w USA s to Honduras, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Mexican Whip-poor-will belong to?
The Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae) belongs to the Caprimulgidae family, in the order Caprimulgiformes.
What does the Mexican Whip-poor-will eat?
The Mexican Whip-poor-will is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Mexican Whip-poor-will migrate?
The Mexican Whip-poor-will is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Mexican Whip-poor-will endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Mexican Whip-poor-will make?
1 real field recording of the Mexican Whip-poor-will — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Mexican Whip-poor-will's range?
The Mexican Whip-poor-will has a mapped global range of about 1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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