Eastern Whip-poor-will Feigning Injury

Eastern Whip-poor-will Feigning Injury

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I have a trail on my property that leads into the Ouachita National Forest here in Arkansas. The Ouachita is a diverse habitat, home to countless species, both migratory and resident. Walking this trail is always full of surprises, but on this particular morning, I had an unforgettable encounter with an Eastern Whip-poor-will.

Eastern Whip-poor-will Feigning Injury on a Woodland Branch
An Eastern Whip-poor-will sits perched on a branch in an Arkansas forest, displaying a unique behavior often used to distract predators. With its cryptic plumage blending seamlessly into the woodland surroundings, this nocturnal bird has evolved remarkable camouflage. Its “injury-feigning” pose draws potential threats away from nests or young. This species, known for its hauntingly repetitive song, is typically hard to spot, making encounters like this rare and insightful.

An Eastern Whip-poor-will suddenly flew across my path, acting as if it were injured. This behavior immediately signaled to me that there must be a nest close by. After scanning the area, I spotted two eggs lying on the forest floor, camouflaged among the leaf litter near the trail.

Eastern Whip-poor-will Eggs Among Leaf Litter
Two speckled eggs of the Eastern Whip-poor-will lie hidden among fallen leaves on the forest floor.

Eastern Whip-poor-wills are ground-nesting birds, and this one was using a classic defense strategy. When threatened by a predator, the adult bird will pretend to be injured, drawing attention away from the nest. This bird was doing just that—trying to lead me away from its vulnerable eggs. It briefly landed on the trail ahead of me, feigning injury with flared wings and broken hops. When I raised my camera, it abandoned the act, flying to a nearby tree limb. I quickly took a shot of the bird, then carefully captured an image of the eggs before retreating from the area to avoid further disturbance.

The Whip-poor-will’s camouflage is excellent. Nesting directly on the ground among leaves, their eggs blend seamlessly into the surroundings. Without the bird’s initial movement, I would have walked by without noticing. This encounter was the second time this year I’ve discovered a ground-nesting bird by accident. Earlier in the spring, I stumbled across a Wild Turkey nesting, protecting its eggs. Ground nesters are incredibly vulnerable, relying on camouflage and distraction to keep their nests safe.

Photographing Challenges

  • Light Conditions: I was shooting in poor light conditions—deep in the woods just after dawn. The limited light required me to use a higher ISO (3200) and a slower shutter speed (1/52 sec). Balancing exposure while minimizing noise was key to getting usable shots in these conditions.
  • Hand-held Shooting: Since I was hand-holding my camera and lens, stabilization was a challenge. The Canon EF 100-400 mm lens with image stabilization helped, but the conditions tested the limits of my gear and technique. The bird moved unpredictably, making this a test of steady hands and patience.

Technical Details

  • Location: Near the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas
  • Date Taken: June 27, 2020
  • Aperture: f/5.6
  • Shutter Speed: 1/52 sec
  • ISO: 3200
  • Exposure Compensation: +0.67
  • Focal Length: 400 mm
  • Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro adapter)
  • Camera: Fujifilm X-T3

Tips for Photographing Ground-nesting Birds

  • Minimize Disturbance: If a bird is behaving unusually or feigning injury, back away. Ground-nesting birds are easily disturbed, and repeated disruptions can lead to nest abandonment.
  • Blend In: Wear neutral colors and move slowly. The more you blend in with the environment, the less stress you cause the birds.
  • Look for Behavior Clues: Many ground nesters will try to distract predators away from their nests. If you see a bird acting strangely, watch carefully. You might spot a nest hidden in plain sight.

Eastern Whip-poor-wills are fascinating birds. They are rarely seen due to their nocturnal habits and excellent camouflage. Observing this behavior in person was a reminder of how intricate and vulnerable these creatures are, especially in environments where their natural cover can be easily overlooked.