viuda de chuck will

Bird Species Profile: Chuck-Will’s-Widow

1. Nombre del ave
English: Chuck-Will’s-Widow
Scientific: Antrostomus carolinensis

2. Aspecto
The Chuck-Will’s-Widow is a nocturnal bird that is well known for its soft and mottled plumage that blends impeccably with loose leave on the forest floor. Its coloration features an array of browns, grays, and whites, in a pattern that allows superb camouflage. Distinctive markings include a telltale buffy collar around its gray-brown neck, white tips on outer tail feathers, and a large stout bill. There is little sexual dimorphism; males and females look quite similar, although males have slightly larger white patches on their tail feathers.

3. Tamaño
The Chuck-Will’s-Widow averages 28-33 cm in length (about 11-13 inches) with a wingspan reaching around 58-68 cm (roughly 23-27 inches). It weighs approximately 95-190 grams (3.4-6.7 ounces).

4. Hábitat y distribución
This bird species is primarily found in the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Their preferred habitats are deciduous and pine forests with dense undergrowth, where they can easily blend into the surroundings. It’s a migratory bird and spends its winters in Florida and Central and South America.

5. Datos de interés
One of the most fascinating facts about the Chuck-Will’s-Widow relates to its unusual feeding strategy–it is known to “hawk” insects right out of the air. Its large mouth enables it to catch prey mid-flight. Another intriguing behavior is “anting,” where the bird rubs ants over its feathers, possibly to remove parasites or apply the ants’ defensive chemicals to its body.

The bird also lays its eggs sequentially instead of simultaneously, which leads to a strange phenomenon where chicks in the same nest may be different ages. Finally, it’s known as a crepuscular species, meaning it’s most active during twilight hours at dawn and dusk.

6. Dieta
The Chuck-Will’s-Widow is insectivorous, primarily feeding on beetles, flies, and moths caught midair or picked from foliage or the ground. Occasionally, it also feeds on small birds and bats.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
These birds are known for their haunting and repetitive song from which they get their name, a three-part “chuck-will’s-widow” that’s most often heard at dawn and dusk. In terms of behavior, they are usually solitary and spend most of their day resting on the ground or low branches.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Chuck-Will’s-Widow is currently listed as Least Concern (LC) but its population is on a declining trend due to habitat degradation and deforestation.

9. Vida útil
This bird species typically lives about 4-8 years in the wild. Lifespan in captivity is poorly documented due to their nocturnal and elusive nature.

10. Notas adicionales
Their elusive and nocturnal nature makes them hard to spot, but their melodic call makes them easier to locate. The Chuck-Will’s-Widow performs an essential role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations. As night begins to fall, people in regions where this bird is common, often hear its characteristic call echoing through the dusk and early evening air, a reminder of nature’s unusual yet harmonious symphony.