Threatened Provincially and Nationally
Description
• Medium-sized bird with mottled brown and grey feathers that blend into its surroundings
• Mostly heard rather than seen
• Name derived from its call, which sounds like “whip-poor-will”
• Inhabits mix of open and forested areas, open wetlands or openings in mature, deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests
Range
• In Ontario, breeds as far north as the shore of Lake Superior
Threats
• Habitat loss and degradation
• Pesticides
• Climate change
Protection
• Provincially protected under Endangered Species Act, 2007
• Federally protected under the Species at Risk Act, 2002 and under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
Fact
The whip-poor-will experienced a population loss of 75 percent in Canada between 1968 and 2007.
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