Eastern Whip-poor-will Feigning Injury

Eastern Whip-poor-will Feigning Injury

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I have a trail on my property that connects to the Ouachita National Forest here in Arkansas. This forest is home to many species, both local and migratory. I never know what I’ll see when I walk the trail, but one morning I had a rare and memorable 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.

The Encounter

As I walked along the trail, an Eastern Whip-poor-will suddenly flew across my path. It looked like it was injured. I recognized the behavior—it’s a distraction technique these birds use when a nest is nearby. I stopped and scanned the ground. Sure enough, I spotted two eggs lying in the leaf litter, perfectly camouflaged.

Eastern Whip-poor-wills nest directly on the forest floor. They don’t build nests—just lay their eggs among the fallen leaves. To protect their young, adults fake an injury to lure threats away. This bird was doing exactly that. It landed a short distance ahead, one wing flared, hopping awkwardly to get my attention. When I raised my camera, it flew up into a nearby tree. I took a quick photo of the bird, then a careful shot of the eggs, and backed away to avoid further stress.

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.

Camouflage and Vulnerability

These birds are hard to spot. Without that dramatic behavior, I would’ve walked right past the eggs. Their camouflage is that effective. This was the second time that spring I had accidentally found a ground-nesting bird. Earlier in the year, I came across a Wild Turkey on a nest. Ground nesters rely heavily on staying hidden and using distraction tactics to keep their nests safe.

Photographing Challenges

Low Light: It was early morning, and the forest was still dim. I had to shoot at ISO 3200 with a shutter speed of 1/52 sec to get enough light. Balancing exposure and noise was tough.

Hand-held Camera: I didn’t have a tripod. I had to rely on my Canon EF 100–400mm lens’s image stabilization and steady hands. The bird’s quick, unpredictable movements made things even harder.

Photo Info

  • 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: 400mm
  • Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
  • Camera: Fujifilm X-T3 with Fringer EF-FX Pro adapter

Final Thoughts

If you see a bird acting injured, it may be trying to protect a nest. Give it space. Ground nesters are easily disturbed, and repeated stress can cause them to abandon their eggs.

Eastern Whip-poor-wills are rarely seen. Their camouflage and nocturnal habits keep them hidden most of the time. Watching one act out this behavior was a reminder of how fragile their lives are—and why we need to tread carefully in their world.