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How can I discourage a whip-poor-will?

16 years ago

First off, let me say I do love birds. Really I do! I live in the country with nothing but woods and swamp all around so I get loads of different kind of birds here. I just love it!! But this one bird is causing me to miss a lot of sleep. I have a whip-poor-will that roosts on the roof of my house right outside my bedroom window at night. He calls off and on all night long! Is there any way I can encourage him to find another spot to roost?

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Comments (8)

crcst
16 years ago
Yep,send him my way.I haven't heard one since I was a child and would love to hear one again.Where are you? Jane
ccoombs1
Original Author
16 years ago
I live in central South Carolina. There are several around here, but most of them are in the woods. This one likes my roof!! We also have some really cool little Kildeer that next in the field in front of my house. They are very active at dusk, darting around after bugs.
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rachel_frome_ky
16 years ago
That is so amazing! I read they are in serious decline, and I have to to the back of the mountain to hear them now, when they used to be everywhere
rosebudms
16 years ago
Such memories! We used to have big discussions about what they said. My favorite was "Chip flew out of the white oak". Haven't heard one in years. Count your blessings.
donnas_gw
16 years ago
Just googled this bird. It looks more like a large moth than a bird.
alan_la
16 years ago
I'll swap you for a Mockingbird anyday.CC
Konrad___far_north
16 years ago
Hm..didn't know these exist, some come to Canada...apparently the day starts for them at night, looks like your house is a good perch for prey detection, perhaps you can put up something to make them uncomfortable....you need your sleep!

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ccoombs1
Original Author
16 years ago
Hmmmm...it looks like I should be grateful that they are here! I did not realize that most people don't get to hear them or that they were in decline. I really do love their call, just not when I am trying to sleep. I use a box fan in my room to create white noise and that does help somewhat. I always miss them in the winter when they are gone and their arrival in the late spring is sort of an announcement that mild weather has arrived. I thought about putting a rubber snake or fake owl on the roof, but read that they don't scare easily so deterants probably won't work. Oh well....I'll just learn to co-exist with these unusual night birds.

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