1986/04/01 by Alexander M. Mills · 3 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Avian ecology and behavior #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Moonlight #Foraging #Nest (protein structural motif) #Hatching #Zoology #Biology #Ecology
paper · doi:10.1093/auk/103.2.370
openalex publication_date 1986/04/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/04
Abstract Whip-poor-wills (Caprimulgus vociferus) showed significantly higher levels of locomotory, vocal, and nest activity during twilight and bright moonlight than under moonless conditions. Field observations and nest record card data indicated that Caprimulgus species usually synchronize their reproductive cycle with the lunar cycle. Hatching tends to occur during young waxing moons, presumably so that moonlight-enhanced foraging will be at a maximum while the dependent nestlings are an energy burden on the parents. Observations of foraging Whip-poor-wills suggest they are primarily visually oriented, unlike the bats (Chiroptera).