Watercolor portrait of Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus)

What does the Eastern Whip-poor-will sound like at night?

Antrostomus vociferus
Sounds at Night Heard after dark Uncommon

Press play. If that is the sound outside, you have your answer — the Eastern Whip-poor-will's "WHIP-poor-WILL, WHIP-poor-WILL…".

“WHIP-poor-WILL, WHIP-poor-WILL…”

What you're hearing

A clear, rhythmic three-syllable phrase repeated tirelessly, often hundreds of times in succession on warm, moonlit nights.

“WHIP-poor-WILL, WHIP-poor-WILL…”

Birders often file this one under Territorial Song.

What time of night you hear it

Dusk, dawn, and through the night — especially on bright moonlit nights.

Arrives on breeding territories from late April to May; peak singing May–July. South-bound migration begins in August, with most gone by early October. Winters quietly in tropical forests.

Why an Eastern Whip-poor-will calls at night

The bird says its own name, over and over, for minutes on end without pausing. It is a nocturnal insect hunter and the song is territorial and mate-attracting. Moonlight matters: whip-poor-wills time their activity to it, so the loudest nights are the bright ones.

What else could it be?

The other voices you are most likely to hear in the dark. Play them and compare.

Chuck-will's-widow

Larger overall and heavier-bodied.

Common Nighthawk

Flycatcher-like erratic flight high overhead at dusk, often gives "peent" call.

Barred Owl

Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?

Eastern Whip-poor-will night call FAQ

What does an Eastern Whip-poor-will sound like at night?
A clear, rhythmic three-syllable phrase repeated tirelessly, often hundreds of times in succession on warm, moonlit nights. Birders write it as "WHIP-poor-WILL, WHIP-poor-WILL…".
What time of night do you hear Eastern Whip-poor-wills?
Dusk, dawn, and through the night — especially on bright moonlit nights.
Why is an Eastern Whip-poor-will calling at night?
The bird says its own name, over and over, for minutes on end without pausing. It is a nocturnal insect hunter and the song is territorial and mate-attracting. Moonlight matters: whip-poor-wills time their activity to it, so the loudest nights are the bright ones.

More Eastern Whip-poor-will sounds

Eastern Whip-poor-will: the full species pageEvery sound we have, field marks, habitat and similar species.Eastern Whip-poor-will songThe same bird, heard by day.Weird Bird Sounds at Night, Identified: Screeches, Squeaks & Trills (With Audio)It is 2:00 AM. The house is quiet. Then: SQUEAK. SQUEAK. If you have landed here, you are probably hearing weird bird sounds at night and trying to decide whether to call a mechanic, a ghost hunter, or a birdwatcher.Birds Singing at Night: The 6 Species You're Probably Hearing (Hear Each Call)Hear birds singing in the middle of the night? From owls and nightjars to mockingbirds and robins, learn who sings after dark and how to tell them apart by ear.Winter Bird Sounds: 5 Calls to Learn While It's Cold OutsideWinter is actually the best time to learn bird sounds. Fewer species, quieter woods, and bare branches that carry sound farther. Here are 5 birds you'll hear this winter — and how to recognize them by ear.