BRDL 28

2/20/22 - COPO - Common Poorwill

I don't know how anyone ever finds one of these birds. Their calls, of course, but they are nocturnal birds that are incredibly well camouflaged during the day. They live mainly out west in the desert scrubland, and eat loads of insects. One thing I didn't know was from allaboutbirds.org -- in harsh winters, when food is scarce, they can reduce their body temperature to 41 degrees (Fahrenheit!) and reduce oxygen consumption by 90%. The first known hibernating bird. The Hopi word for the bird actually means 'sleeping one' Another fun fact -- they can often be found on south facing hills, soaking up the sun. 

By Connor Long - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45594864