[MEXICAN WHIP-POOR-WILL]

Antrostomus arizonae

Status: No accepted records.

Taxonomy: There are five subspecies, only one north of Mexico: arizonae, occurring in the southwestern USA into Mexico (Gill et al 2020).

This species was split from Eastern Whip-poor-will (former Caprimulgus vociferus, now A. vociferus) in 2010 based on differences in vocalizations and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (Han et al 2010); the two species also differ in morphology and egg pigmentation (Chesser et al 2010).

Subsequently, this species and 10 others previously in Caprimulgus were moved to Antrostomus based on Han et al (2010).

Comments: There is one report; we consider it credible, but there is no tangible documentation. One was heard in Sioux Co 25 Jun 2003 by Helen Hughson, a veteran observer familiar with vocalizations of this species from time spent living in Arizona; Ms. Hughson recognized the song and verified her identification when the song was compared to tapes of Mexican Whip-poor-will (Silcock 2003).

Mexican Whip-poor-will has occurred into central and northeastern Colorado, closest records are of one recorded by many in Fremont Co 8-14 May and 2-14 Aug 2020, and another in El Paso Co 15 Jul 1981 (eBird.org).

Abbreviations:

Literature Cited

R.T., Banks, R.C., Barker, F.K., Cicero, C., Dunn, J.L., Kratter, A.W., Lovette, I.J., Rasmussen, P.C., Remsen, J.V. Jr., Rising, J. D., Stotz, D.F., and Winker, K. 2010. Fifty-First Supplement to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-List of North American Birds. Auk 127: 726-744. https://doi.org/10.1525/auk.2010.127.3.726.

Gill, F., D. Donsker, and P. Rasmussen (Eds). 2020. IOC World Bird List (v 10.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.10.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.

Han, L-K., M.B. Robbins, and M.J. Braun. 2010. A Multi-gene Estimate of Phylogeny in the Nightjars and Nighthawks (Caprimulgidae). Molecular Phylogenetic Evolution 55: 443-453.

Silcock, W.R. 2003. Summer Field Report, June-July 2003. NBR 71: 106-127.

Recommended Citation

Silcock, W.R., and J.G. Jorgensen. 2020. Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae). In Birds of Nebraska — Online. www.BirdsofNebraska.org

Birds of Nebraska – Online

Updated 19 Aug 2020