chuck-will's-widow

American  

[chuhk-wilz-wid-oh] / ˈtʃʌk wɪlzˈwɪd oʊ /

noun

1. a goatsucker, Caprimulgus carolinensis, of the southern U.S., resembling the whippoorwill but larger.

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chuck-will's-widow British  

noun

1. a large North American nightjar, Caprimulgus carolinensis, similar to the whippoorwill

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Etymology

Origin of chuck-will's-widow

First recorded in 1785–95; fanciful representation of its incessant call

Example Sentences

He painted woodpeckers, flycatchers, studied the chuck-will's-widow that moves its eggs if they are touched, the water turkey that walks on the bottom of streams, the rare scarlet ibis, the "overdressed" white ibis.

From Time Magazine Archive

Its song, which is uttered, like that of the whip-poor-will, at night, is a constant repetition of the sound, chuck-will's-widow, very distinctly articulated.

From Natural History in Anecdote Illustrating the nature, habits, manners and customs of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, etc., etc., etc. by Various

The chuck-will's-widow, which in the south supplies the place of our whippoorwill, repeated his oft-told tale of "chuck-will's-widow, chuck-will's-widow," with untiring earnestness.

From Voyage of the Paper Canoe A Geographical Journey of 2500 miles, from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico, during the years 1874-5. by Bishop, Nathaniel H. (Nathaniel Holmes)

In the Southern States a somewhat larger whip-poor-will, but with the same habits, is known as chuck-will's-widow.

From Birds Every Child Should Know by Blanchan, Neltje

Among the oaks I walked in the evening, listening to the strange low chant of the chuck-will's-widow, —a name which the owner himself pronounces with a rest after the first syllable.

From A Florida Sketch-Book by Torrey, Bradford