Chuck-will's-widow Antrostomus carolinensis Gmelin, 1789    Synonyms: CWWI, Twixt-hell-and-the-white-oak.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Aves   >   Order Strigiformes   >   Family Caprimulgidae   >   Genus Antrostomus   

Status:

Locally common breeding species in appropriate habitat on the coastal plain, especially the lower Eastern Shore. Records away from the coastal plain are uncommon. Western Maryland records are very rare.

Description:

In season, listen for their distinctive namesake calls in mixed woodlands on the Eastern Shore at night, when they are defending territories and hunting aerial insects. They are widespread on the lower Eastern Shore, but some popular locations to try include Assateague Island and Elliott Island Road.

Relationships:

As North America's largest nightjar, their list of prey species is known to include small birds such as warblers and vireos!

There are 112 records in the project database.

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Chuck-will's-widow in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (5/25/2022). (c) Fiona Tillett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Fiona Tillett via iNaturalist.

Chuck-will's-widow in Dorchester Co., Maryland (5/7/2018). - Jim Brighton.

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A Chuck-will's-widow in Dorchester Co., Maryland (7/8/2018). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

A Chuck-will's-widow in Dorchester Co., Maryland (7/8/2018). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow in Somerset Co., Maryland (6/1/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow in Somerset Co., Maryland (6/1/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

A Chuck-will's-widow roosting at Point Lookout SP, St. Mary's Co., Maryland (5/5/2012). Photo by Mikey Lutmerding. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow in Somerset Co., Maryland (6/23/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

A Chuck-will's-widow nest with two eggs in Wicomico Co., Maryland (6//2016). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow in Somerset Co., Maryland (6/23/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

A Chuck-will's-widow in Worcester Co., Maryland (4/29/2018). Photo by Daniel Irons. (MBP list)

Nestling Chuck-will's-widow at nest in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (7/16/2021). (c) Benji Beluga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow on nest in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (7/16/2021). (c) Benji Beluga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow on nest in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (7/16/2021). (c) Benji Beluga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

A nestling Chuck-will's-widow found in Wicomico Co., Maryland (7/2/2016). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow in Worcester Co., Maryland (9/11/2021). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

Chuck-will's-widow in Wicomico Co., Maryland (5/19/2021). (c) Jim Brighton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)


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