Page 13 - Jupiter Spotlight - January '25

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 13
Northern Notes

Nightjars, Nighthawks And and certain island groups very short bills. They have short bills but have enormous
such as the Seychelles.
mouths when opened to allow them to catch insects
Chuck Will’s Widows Nightjars are primarily at night. They have bristles around their beaks called
found in Europe, while rictal bristles, which are stiff hair-like feathers that arise
By Katie Roundtree, Nighthawks and Chuck around the base of the beak. The function of rictal bristles
Director of Finance and Will’s Widows are found is uncertain, although several possibilities have been
Administration, more in the New World. proposed. They may function as a “net,” helping to capture
Northern Palm Beach Nightjars, Nighthawks flying prey. Some evidence suggests that they may prevent
County Improvement and Chuck Will’s Widows particles from striking the eyes. There is also evidence that
District belong to a family of the rictal bristles of some species may function tactilely,
Nighthawks and Chuck birds with the folk name like that of mammalian whiskers, to help detect prey.
Will’s Widows are common “goatsuckers.” The family Widows can be found in various habitats, most
birds in South Florida, but name, Caprimulgidae, literally means “milker of goats” commonly in open areas with some vegetation. Locally, they
most people have never and is based on an ancient belief that the birds milked live in and around upland
seen one. They are members goats with their enormous mouths each night. In reality, preserves. Nighthawks
of the Nightjar family and the birds’ attraction to livestock was likely due to the usually spend their days
are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular (active at presence of insects. hidden, sometimes in plain
dawn and dusk) birds in the family Caprimulgidae. They are unique birds with a distinctive look view, thanks to their cryptic
Nightjars are found worldwide, except Antarctica characterized by long wings, small feet, short legs, and gray, brown, and blackish
plumage and the birds’
squat, “neckless” shape. They often prove challenging
to spot even while roosting quietly on a tree branch or
fence post.
They usually lay their eggs directly on the ground rather
than in a nest. They are incredibly good at camouflage,
and their coloring allows them to blend in remarkably
well with the leaves and trees around them. Their soft
plumage is colored to resemble bark or leaves, protecting
them from their primary predators: foxes and raccoons. As
a defense, these birds can hide in leaves on the ground,
spread their wings and open their mouths to resemble
cottonmouth snakes preparing to strike. Some species
perch face lengthwise along a branch rather than across
it as birds usually do to hide during the day, blending
seamlessly with tree bark.
The Common Nighthawk’s erratic, acrobatic flight style
gives the bird its folk name “bullbat.” They fly alone or in
groups in a looping pattern. This dusky hunter jerks and
weaves through the air on long, pointed wings, flashing
distinctive white wing patches.
Chuck Will’s Widows are the largest of the Nightjars and
are primarily nocturnal. They have enormous mouths that,
when open, can catch flying insects like beetles and moths
but can even catch small birds or bats on occasion. Their
name is an onomatopoeia
from its song. As is often
the case with Nightjars,
the Chuck-Will’s-widow
was named due to its song,
which to many sounds like
a phrase composed of the
words “chuck,” “will’s,”
and “widow”: “Chuck
Will’s Widow. Chuck-
will’s-WID-ow. Chuck-
will’s-WID-ow.” The first
syllable of the call is often
hard for humans to hear. You
can hear their distinctive
call in the evening or pre-
dawn hours. As a defense, these birds
As is the case with can hide in leaves on the
many Nightjars worldwide, ground, spread their wings
Nighthawk and Chuck and open their mouths to
Will’s Widow numbers resemble cottonmouth snakes
are declining. The factors preparing to strike.
driving these declines are
elusive, but habitat destruction, declining insect populations,
and pesticide contamination have all been suggested as
potential culprits.
These fantastic but rarely seen birds are an integral part of
the Florida ecosystem. Now that the evenings are cool, enjoy
a walk by a preserve area in or around your neighborhood.
Listen for the call of the “widow” or watch the looping
Nighthawks as they search for dinner.
NPDES tip: Storms occur all year round. Make sure your
yards and trees are trimmed neatly to avoid flying debris
during a storm. Dispose of your trimmings and clippings
properly—do not put them into storm drains or lakes!