The Chuck-will's-widow is the largest nightjar in North America, a nocturnal insectivore of southern pine forests whose booming, four-syllable call — 'chuck-wills-widow' — reverberates through summer nights. Like all nightjars, it has a wide gape fringed with bristles that help funnel insects into its mouth during flight. It is so well camouflaged on the forest floor that it is virtually invisible when at rest.
Best time to see a Chuck-will's-widow
The best time to see a Chuck-will's-widow is April–May, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,829 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Chuck-will's-widow? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Chuck-will's-widow sightings near you
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